Members of the press bickered with a White House official New Year’s Eve over whether or not President Trump was in the Oval Office working.
The social media sniping took place after Trump said Monday morning that he was in the Oval Office waiting for Democrats to reach a deal that would end the government shutdown and fund the border wall.
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“I’m in the Oval Office,” Trump posted to Twitter. “Democrats, come back from vacation now and give us the votes necessary for Border Security, including the Wall. You voted yes in 2006 and 2013. One more yes, but with me in office, I’ll get it built, and Fast!”
I’m in the Oval Office. Democrats, come back from vacation now and give us the votes necessary for Border Security, including the Wall. You voted yes in 2006 and 2013. One more yes, but with me in office, I’ll get it built, and Fast!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2018
Playboy White House reporter Brian Karem said that, minutes after Trump sent his tweet, he saw that there was not a Marine stationed outside the West Wing doors, indicating that the president was not present in the Oval Office.
Karem tweeted a photo of the door with no Marine sentry in front, claiming that Trump was lying about being in the Oval Office.
“POTUS tweet minutes ago claimed he was in the Oval Office. No marine there so that’s another lie,” Karem tweeted.
POTUS tweet minutes ago claimed he was in the Oval Office. No marine there so that’s another lie. @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/rnJnQt88HO
— Brian J. Karem (@BrianKarem) December 31, 2018
Later, White House deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley said the press needed to “stop jumping to false conclusions” and instead call the White House press team to ask for official comment.
Gidley said he looked into the Oval Office for himself and Trump was seated at the Resolute Desk.
“I just looked into the Oval Office myself, and @POTUS was in fact sitting behind the Resolute Desk working,” Gidley tweeted in response to Karem’s accusation. “So, now I’m just waiting for you and the rest of your ilk to either stop jumping to false conclusions, correct the record, or, here’s a thought, call the press team to ask.”
I just looked into the Oval Office myself, and @POTUS was in fact sitting behind the Resolute Desk working. So, now I’m just waiting for you and the rest of your ilk to either stop jumping to false conclusions, correct the record, or, here’s a thought, call the press team to ask. https://t.co/uzIp0i7Dwo
— Hogan Gidley (@hogangidley45) December 31, 2018
The White House press office did not immediately respond to an inquiry about Trump’s location and the Marine guard.
Trump has tweeted a few times over the holiday season that he has been at the White House working through the government shutdown while Democrats go on vacation.
Incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has been seen on vacation at the Fairmont Orchid resort in Hawaii. Stays at the hotel can run guests up to $5,000 per night.
Several federal agencies shut down after Congress and Trump failed to enact a new spending bill before the deadline the Friday before Christmas.
