FDR Quote Not Removed from White House, Despite Social Media Claims

A viral social media claim suggesting that a plaque featuring a quote from President Franklin D. Roosevelt was “torn down” during the recent demolition of the White House East Wing has been proven false.

The quote in question—”I never forget that I live in a house owned by all the American people and that I have been given their trust”—was never located in the White House at all. Rather, the inscription is permanently engraved into a stone wall at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, which is situated more than a mile away from the White House along Washington D.C.’s Tidal Basin.

The misleading claim spread rapidly across social media platforms last week when a user with the handle @stealthygeek posted an image of the quote on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption: “This plaque in the East Wing of the White House has been torn down by Donald Trump, a convicted felon and adjudicated rapist.”

The National Park Service, which maintains comprehensive documentation of the FDR Memorial, confirms that the inscription appears in the “Second Term Room” of the memorial. This section commemorates Roosevelt’s presidency from 1937 through 1941 and features the quote adjacent to George Segal’s sculpture titled “Fireside Chat.”

The memorial itself is organized into four distinct outdoor rooms, each representing one of Roosevelt’s four presidential terms. Visitors to the memorial can easily view the inscription, which remains intact and open to the public as part of the National Mall and Memorial Parks system.

The confusion appears to have stemmed from the timing of the social media post, which coincided with the actual demolition of the White House East Wing in late October 2025. The East Wing is being removed to make way for the construction of a new ballroom, but this construction project has no connection to the Roosevelt quote or memorial.

This incident highlights the continuing challenge of misinformation spreading across social media platforms, particularly regarding historical monuments and presidential landmarks. Washington D.C.’s monuments collectively attract millions of visitors annually and serve as important repositories of American history and presidential legacies.

The Roosevelt Memorial, dedicated in 1997, spans 7.5 acres and features numerous quotes from the 32nd president, along with sculptures depicting significant moments from the Great Depression and World War II eras. The memorial was specifically designed to be accessible to visitors with disabilities, reflecting Roosevelt’s own experience with polio.

While the White House itself undergoes periodic renovations and modifications with changing administrations, the removal of historical elements typically follows strict protocols established by the White House Historical Association and other preservation organizations.

The East Wing demolition represents one of the more significant structural changes to the White House complex in recent decades. Traditionally housing the First Lady’s offices and staff, the East Wing has been a fixture of the White House since its expansion in 1942, ironically during Roosevelt’s administration.

Architectural historians and preservation experts have documented the demolition process to ensure that historically significant elements are properly cataloged and, where appropriate, preserved for future reinstallation or museum display.

Social media users are encouraged to verify claims about historical monuments and presidential landmarks through official sources such as the National Park Service website, which offers detailed information about national monuments, including virtual tours and educational resources.