Donald Trump said the White House was not properly maintained during the administration of President Joe Biden [1].
The comments highlight a recurring theme in the former president's criticism of the current administration's management of federal property and national symbols.
Speaking at a rally in November 2023, Trump said the physical state of the historic building was deteriorating [1]. He said falling columns and plaster were evidence that the residence had been neglected [1].
Trump used the event to contrast his own approach to property management with that of the Biden administration [1]. He said the lack of upkeep was a reflection of broader administrative failures.
During the speech, Trump spoke about the decorum required when discussing the executive mansion [1]. He said, "This place was not properly taken care of… normally I would’ve said it was a sh** house" [2].
The former president has frequently positioned himself as a caretaker of American institutions and architecture [1]. By criticizing the condition of the White House, he said the Biden administration was incapable of preserving the dignity of the office.
No official reports from the White House maintenance staff or the National Park Service were cited in the video to verify the specific claims regarding falling plaster or structural damage [1].
“"This place was not properly taken care of… normally I would’ve said it was a sh** house."”
These remarks reflect a strategy of using physical infrastructure as a metaphor for governance. By claiming the White House was in disrepair, Trump sought to link the perceived physical decline of the building to a perceived decline in the quality of the administration's leadership.
