Donald Trump appeared somewhat careless during a recent Oval Office press briefing after cameras captured notes that didn’t seem intended for public viewing.
The president was addressing reporters at the White House after signing an executive order directing federal agencies to review how mail-in ballots are distributed during elections.
Trump has repeatedly voiced his opposition to widespread postal voting. However, during the briefing, attention also shifted to a separate issue— a judge’s decision to halt construction of a proposed $400 million ballroom at the White House, which had been a key focus of his plans.
Online, many users—particularly on Reddit—speculated about the contents of the notes Trump was holding. Several believed they reflected a summary of comments made by U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, who had ruled earlier that week on the ballroom project.
One user wrote, “There was a ruling against it today, so that would make sense.”
Judge Leon’s order blocked any further demolition or construction activity at the site, allowing only essential work needed to maintain safety and security around the White House and protect those on the premises.
He emphasized that while the president serves as a caretaker of the White House for future generations, he does not personally own it.
Some commenters also joked that Trump should avoid using a thick marker in the future, as it likely made the notes easier to read on camera.
Despite the ruling, the Trump administration has already filed an appeal, even though parts of the East Wing had already been taken down as part of the project.
During the same briefing, Trump focused on his newly signed executive order aimed at influencing how elections are conducted across the United States.
“It’s about voter integrity,” he said. “We want fair and honest elections, because without that, you don’t really have a nation.”
Standing beside him, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick added that while states oversee elections, any use of the U.S. Postal Service would involve a standardized system.
“If states choose to use mail voting, each ballot will be assigned a specific code from the Postal Service, ensuring one envelope per vote,” Lutnick explained.