A Historic Lawn Becomes Concrete Patio
The White House Rose Garden is barely recognizable. New photos taken on July 22 reveal a dramatic transformation: most of the lush lawn has been replaced by concrete. This shift is part of an ongoing renovation led by former President Donald Trump and former First Lady Melania Trump.
Trump had long criticized the original design. He claimed the grass was impractical for press events, especially when it came to wet weather and women’s high heels. In a March interview with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham, he explained, “The terrain can be wet… Women, with the high heels, it just didn’t work.”
A “Restoration” or Reinvention?
The renovations began in early June. According to a White House official, the Trumps approached the project with “deep respect for the history of the White House and the Rose Garden.” The goal, they said, was to preserve beauty while improving function for events.
Yet, critics argue that the new concrete slab and patio-style layout stray far from tradition. The original lawn was added in 1961 at President John F. Kennedy’s request and had served as the garden’s centerpiece ever since.
Melania Trump Faces Backlash Again
This isn’t Melania’s first controversial redesign. In 2020, she introduced limestone borders and redesigned the flowerbeds. NBC News presidential historian Michael Beschloss described the update as “grim” and accused her of erasing decades of American history.
Melania’s office responded sharply. “.@BeschlossDC has proven his ignorance,” her team posted on X (formerly Twitter), sharing photos of roses in full bloom. They accused him of sharing misleading information and questioned his credibility as a historian.
A Mix of Style and Practicality
Despite the criticism, some updates were practical. The 2020 redesign aimed to improve sunlight and drainage. Only 12 original rose bushes remained before Melania added 200 new ones.
The current construction is expected to wrap up by mid-August 2025. It’s overseen by the National Park Service and funded by the Trust for the National Mall.
Gilded Touches Inside the White House
The garden isn’t the only change making headlines. In April, The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump hired cabinetmaker John Icart—his longtime “gold guy”—to glam up the Oval Office. Updates include gilded portrait frames, ornate carvings for the fireplace mantel, and even a gold Trump crest embedded in a doorway.
Icart previously worked on Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property, and the new designs reflect the same lavish aesthetic—one far removed from the simpler tastes of presidents like Joe Biden and Barack Obama.