White House: No Plans to Rebuild Third Temple in Jerusalem

Washington, D.C. — White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Thursday that President Donald Trump has not discussed plans to rebuild the Third Temple in Jerusalem, responding to an unusual question during the daily press briefing.

Jake Turx, White House correspondent for Mishpacha magazine, asked: "Looking at these renderings, it got me thinking he's [Trump] likely going to be remembered as the greatest builder of this era, and you've been part of many meetings with him. To your knowledge, has the topic of rebuilding the Holy Temple in Jerusalem ever come up?"

"It has not," Leavitt responded, quickly ending speculation about U.S. involvement in rebuilding the ancient Jewish Temple.

The question came after Trump unveiled plans for a new White House ballroom, having demolished the East Wing to make space for the construction project. Turx referenced Trump's reputation for large-scale building projects when framing his question about the Temple.

The exchange immediately drew attention online, with observers noting the unprecedented nature of a reporter raising the topic of rebuilding the ancient Temple during a White House press briefing. The question brought a subject typically confined to Jewish study halls and prophetic discussions directly into U.S. political conversation.

The two ancient Holy Temples in Jerusalem were located on the Temple Mount, which is currently home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and administered by the Islamic Waqf of Jordan. The First Temple was destroyed by Babylonians around 587 BCE, and the Second Temple was destroyed by Romans in 70 CE. Any discussions of changes to regulations governing the Temple Mount site have repeatedly ignited controversy and violence.

The notion of a Third Temple remains central to Orthodox Judaism, with formal petitions for its rebuilding included in Conservative and Orthodox prayer services. The Prophet Ezekiel dedicates eight chapters of his book to describing a future Temple with exact architectural measurements and designated rituals.

Trump's first term featured the historic move of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem in May 2018, which many predicted would cause catastrophic consequences. When the anticipated disaster failed to materialize, some evangelical allies and Jewish Temple activists suggested Trump's policies had moved the Jewish people closer to restoring sovereignty over Jerusalem.

Following the embassy move, the Sanhedrin minted a ceremonial coin depicting Trump alongside Persian King Cyrus, who facilitated the Jewish people's return from Babylonian exile and the rebuilding of the Second Temple. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly drew the same comparison in 2018, saying that like Cyrus, Trump "made history" by recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has previously spoken about the possibility of a Third Temple. In a 2018 speech at the Arutz Sheva conference in Jerusalem, Hegseth stated: "There's no reason why the miracle of the re-establishment of the temple on the Temple Mount is not possible. I don't know how it would happen. You don't know how it would happen, but I know that it could happen."

The Temple Institute in Jerusalem has prepared furnishings, priestly garments, and other items needed for Temple service. A 1:50 scale model of the proposed Third Temple exists, and architectural plans have been created showing a square building 150 meters long and 150 meters wide.

THE CRUSADER'S OPINION

The question itself made history. A reporter asked the White House Press Secretary about rebuilding the Jewish Temple, and nobody laughed. The answer was straightforward—"It has not"—but the fact that it was asked seriously during an official briefing shows how far biblical prophecy has moved from fringe speculation to mainstream conversation.

Trump moved the embassy to Jerusalem. Everyone predicted war. Nothing happened. He recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Experts forecasted catastrophe. Life continued. Now reporters ask if he'll rebuild the Temple, and the response isn't mockery—it's a simple "no, not yet." That shift matters more than the answer.

The Temple Mount sits at the center of end-times prophecy. Daniel, Ezekiel, and Revelation all describe a rebuilt Temple playing crucial roles in final events. For centuries, this seemed impossible with the Dome of the Rock occupying the site. Then Trump showed that "impossible" Middle East scenarios can shift overnight. Syria fell. Regional alliances transformed. What seemed unthinkable became negotiable.

Hegseth, now Secretary of Defense, publicly stated the Temple's re-establishment is possible. The Temple Institute has furnishings ready. Plans exist. Red heifers have been brought to Israel for purification rituals. Every piece moves into place while skeptics dismiss it as religious fantasy. But dismissing biblical prophecy has never stopped its fulfillment.

The White House says Trump hasn't discussed rebuilding the Temple. Fair enough. But the fact that question was asked seriously in that briefing room proves we're living in unprecedented times. When reporters ask about fulfilling ancient prophecy and press secretaries answer without dismissing the premise, we're no longer in normal political territory. We're watching pieces align that previous generations only read about. Whether Trump gets involved or not, the Third Temple conversation just moved from synagogues to the White House podium. That alone is prophetically significant.

TAKE ACTION

Stay Informed:

• Follow developments in Jerusalem regarding the Temple Mount
• Study biblical prophecy about the Third Temple (Ezekiel 40-48, Daniel 9:27, Revelation 11)
• Watch how regional politics in the Middle East continue to shift

Pray:

• For wisdom for world leaders navigating Middle East tensions
• For peace in Jerusalem as Scripture commands (Psalm 122:6)
• For discernment in understanding prophetic times
• For the Jewish people and their relationship with God

Study Scripture:

• Read Ezra and Nehemiah about rebuilding after exile
• Study the role of King Cyrus in facilitating the Second Temple
• Understand what the Bible says about end-times events
• Examine both Jewish and Christian perspectives on Temple prophecy

Support Israel:

• Pray for Israel's security and sovereignty
• Support ministries working in Israel and Jerusalem
• Stand against efforts to divide Jerusalem or deny Jewish historical connections

Discern the Times:

• Recognize we're living in biblically significant times
• Don't dismiss prophetic fulfillment as coincidence
• Share with your church what's happening in Israel
• Prepare spiritually for what Scripture says is coming

The Third Temple question just moved from the margins to the White House briefing room. Whether it gets rebuilt during this administration or not, that shift alone tells us we're living in prophetic times. Watch and pray.