Living in the White House might seem glamorous, but it comes with some strange quirks.
From secret rooms to bizarre rules, life at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is weirder than you know
Here are some of the strangest things about living in the White House... (thread đ§”) x.com
From secret rooms to bizarre rules, life at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is weirder than you know
Here are some of the strangest things about living in the White House... (thread đ§”) x.com
1. There Is No Private Entrance Or Exit To The Residence
It makes sense the first family can't just come and go as they please, but did you know, according to 'The Obamas' by Jodi Kantor, they do not have any private entrances or exits where they live?
It's one of the downsides to living in a combination fortress/museum.
Staff & tourists have access to the Diplomatic Reception Room - close to where the entrance to the White House bedrooms is located - during regular operating hours, so the first family has to crouch behind brown screens to avoid detection.
It makes sense the first family can't just come and go as they please, but did you know, according to 'The Obamas' by Jodi Kantor, they do not have any private entrances or exits where they live?
It's one of the downsides to living in a combination fortress/museum.
Staff & tourists have access to the Diplomatic Reception Room - close to where the entrance to the White House bedrooms is located - during regular operating hours, so the first family has to crouch behind brown screens to avoid detection.
2. The West Wing Is Reportedly Full Of Roaches And Mice
In 2017, White House officials allegedly submitted numerous requests for repairs and new equipment.
But, as reported by NBC Washington's News4 I-Team, the most eye-opening one was for pest control to eradicate the mice getting into the Situation Room and the Navy's mess hall in the White House.
In 2017, White House officials allegedly submitted numerous requests for repairs and new equipment.
But, as reported by NBC Washington's News4 I-Team, the most eye-opening one was for pest control to eradicate the mice getting into the Situation Room and the Navy's mess hall in the White House.
3. White House Wi-Fi Isn't Great
If your weak Wi-Fi is keeping you from your favorite sites, the first family feels for you. The Obamas told CBS on Super Bowl Sunday 2016 about the many Wi-Fi "dead spots" in the White House, and that the Obama girls got "frustrated" by them.
In the weeks following this interview, the Roosevelt Room in the White House apparently saw improved Wi-Fi. This allowed White House personnel to briefly broadcast an event on Facebook Live & other sites
If your weak Wi-Fi is keeping you from your favorite sites, the first family feels for you. The Obamas told CBS on Super Bowl Sunday 2016 about the many Wi-Fi "dead spots" in the White House, and that the Obama girls got "frustrated" by them.
In the weeks following this interview, the Roosevelt Room in the White House apparently saw improved Wi-Fi. This allowed White House personnel to briefly broadcast an event on Facebook Live & other sites
4. The President Is Billed Every Month For Food And Incidentals
There's no free lunch (or breakfast, brunch, or dinner) for the first family: All presidents and their families have to pay for their own food, dry cleaning, toothpaste, and other incidentals while in office; they're billed at the end of the month.
The sticker shock caught Nancy Reagan off-guard, as she claimed nobody had informed her or President Reagan about having to pay for what they used from their salary. It shouldn't be a huge problem given how much the president gets paid, but expenses can add up quickly.
There's no charge, however, for food served at White House state functions - the taxpayers take care of this.
There's no free lunch (or breakfast, brunch, or dinner) for the first family: All presidents and their families have to pay for their own food, dry cleaning, toothpaste, and other incidentals while in office; they're billed at the end of the month.
The sticker shock caught Nancy Reagan off-guard, as she claimed nobody had informed her or President Reagan about having to pay for what they used from their salary. It shouldn't be a huge problem given how much the president gets paid, but expenses can add up quickly.
There's no charge, however, for food served at White House state functions - the taxpayers take care of this.
5. There Is A Dentist's Office In The Basement
The first family doesn't have to go far to get a dental filling: There's a dentist's office both in the basement of the White House and at the presidential retreat at Camp David. In a University of Michigan School of Dentistry newsletter, President George W. Bush's personal dentist says Bush "didn't require a lot of care" and "never talked politics."
The basement also features a variety of shops, including ones that sell flowers, chocolates, and carpentry services.
The first family doesn't have to go far to get a dental filling: There's a dentist's office both in the basement of the White House and at the presidential retreat at Camp David. In a University of Michigan School of Dentistry newsletter, President George W. Bush's personal dentist says Bush "didn't require a lot of care" and "never talked politics."
The basement also features a variety of shops, including ones that sell flowers, chocolates, and carpentry services.
6. The First Family Can't Open Windows
It makes sense from a security standpoint at the White House, but you have to admit that it's a bummer to never be able to open a window in your home and feel a cool breeze flow through.
While on Ellen, first lady Michelle Obama said this was something she looked forward to the most when leaving the White House: simply cracking a window.
It makes sense from a security standpoint at the White House, but you have to admit that it's a bummer to never be able to open a window in your home and feel a cool breeze flow through.
While on Ellen, first lady Michelle Obama said this was something she looked forward to the most when leaving the White House: simply cracking a window.
7. The White House is allegedly haunted. Presidential daughter Jenna Bush Hager was convinced the White House was haunted. She told Texas Monthly that "millions of ghosts" inhabit the mansion, and she claimed to have once heard "opera noises" coming from the fireplace.
Her twin sister Barbara has also allegedly heard spooky "1950s piano music" in a White House bedroom late at night.
Her twin sister Barbara has also allegedly heard spooky "1950s piano music" in a White House bedroom late at night.
8. The First Family can see movies before the rest of us.
Hollywood is happy to send films to the White House Family Theater, according to White House Museum, even movies that aren't yet available for public viewing. Originally a cloakroom, the theater was built in the 1940s and seats about 40 people.
The Guardian reports George W. Bush enjoyed the Austin Powers trilogy and action movies, including 9/11-themed films like United 93.
Hollywood is happy to send films to the White House Family Theater, according to White House Museum, even movies that aren't yet available for public viewing. Originally a cloakroom, the theater was built in the 1940s and seats about 40 people.
The Guardian reports George W. Bush enjoyed the Austin Powers trilogy and action movies, including 9/11-themed films like United 93.
9. There's A Putting Green Just Outside The Oval Office
Just outside the door to the president's home office is a putting green designed to help the commander in chief perfect his putt. President Clinton moved it there in 1995, and George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump have enjoyed it ever since.
President Eisenhower installed the first putting green in 1954, though it was in a different location at the time.
Just outside the door to the president's home office is a putting green designed to help the commander in chief perfect his putt. President Clinton moved it there in 1995, and George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump have enjoyed it ever since.
President Eisenhower installed the first putting green in 1954, though it was in a different location at the time.
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