White House Denies Oval Office Replica Report

The White House has denied a report of a replica Oval Office, saying that the reports “are false.”

A report came through last week by Real Clear Politics, which stated that the replica Oval Office was under construction for the president’s use while the original Oval Office is renovated.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney denied the report, saying:

“Reports about a replica Oval Office are false and no one is moving from the West Wing, certainly not — no decisions about that have been made and not on any time frame.”

CNN reports that Carney did acknowledge “constant work being undertaken on the overall campus” but that there were no specific details available.

He added “because this issue, because of the description of an alleged replica of the Oval Office was reported out I can tell you that that is false.”

The initial report cited “several knowledgeable sources” that said a replica of the ceremonial presidential office would be created in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. The building is inside the White House compound and is just across West Executive Drive from the West Wing.

The report added that “unforeseen construction hurdles” could alter the report’s plans. The White House, as well as the General Services Administration, which is in charge of facilities and renovations, declined to comment on the report.

After debunking the report of a replica Oval Office, Jay Carney referred reporters to the GSA for any additional information about renovations at the White House.

[Image by White House (Pete Souza) (originally posted to Flickr as P012109PS-0005) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons]