President Donald Trump abruptly ejected a White House staffer from the Oval Office on Monday, August 25, 2025, after a noisy phone interrupted his remarks during a press conference following the signing of executive orders.
The incident occurred while Trump was responding to a reporter’s question about his recent decision to purchase a portion of Intel stock on behalf of the U.S. government. As the president began his answer, stating that the stock market had gained nearly a thousand points on Friday, he was forced to stop mid-sentence due to the disruption.
According to multiple reports, Trump immediately turned toward the source of the noise and asked who was responsible for the interruption. “Who is that back there? Alright, get out of the room!” the president declared before a door could be heard slamming shut.
The Daily Mail confirmed that the staffer removed from the room was White House staff secretary Will Scharf. Scharf serves as Trump’s executive order specialist, responsible for providing the president with physical copies of executive orders during signing ceremonies and explaining the significance of each directive.
Moments before the incident, Scharf had been standing beside Trump, handling documents for the president to sign. The disruption appeared to be caused by either a cell phone noise or the opening of a door, though reports vary on the exact nature of the disturbance.
Following Trump’s sharp command, laughter could be heard from cabinet members present in the room. The president did not smile during the exchange, maintaining his serious demeanor throughout the interruption.
Scharf previously served as a member of Trump’s legal team before joining the current administration. He also ran an unsuccessful campaign for Missouri attorney general. As staff secretary, he plays a crucial role in managing the flow of executive orders and ensuring proper documentation during official signing events.
This marks the second recorded instance of Trump removing a staff member from the Oval Office due to disruptions during official proceedings. In June 2019, during his first term, Trump ordered acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney to leave the room during a live television interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos after Mulvaney coughed while the president was speaking.
During that 2019 incident, Trump had expressed his displeasure with the interruption, telling Mulvaney that coughing during his responses was unacceptable and requesting that anyone needing to cough should exit the room entirely. The president had characterized the coughing as disruptive to his television appearance.
The Monday press conference was part of a lengthy session in the Oval Office where Trump signed multiple executive orders. The signing ceremony included various cabinet members and administration officials, with Trump fielding questions from reporters about his recent policy decisions and government initiatives.
Video footage of the incident circulated on social media platforms, showing the moment Trump stopped his remarks to address the disturbance. The footage captured the immediate aftermath, including the audible closing of the Oval Office door as the staffer complied with the president’s directive.
Trump’s reaction to the interruption demonstrates his continued emphasis on maintaining control during official proceedings and media appearances. The president has consistently shown impatience with disruptions during formal events, particularly when cameras are present to document the proceedings.
The incident occurred during a day focused on executive actions, with Trump addressing various policy matters including government investment decisions and economic initiatives. Despite the interruption, the president continued with the scheduled proceedings after Scharf’s departure from the room.
White House staff members typically maintain strict protocols during official events to minimize disruptions, particularly during televised proceedings or press conferences. The Monday incident highlights the importance placed on maintaining professional decorum during high-profile government functions.
