Rose Garden s Mar
-a-l
ago Style Revamp Draws Mixed Reviews
A stone patio has replaced the White House Rose Garden’s recognizable green turf, and the change is drawing attention and raising concerns.
Trump, President
President Donald Trump ordered the creation of a diamond-patterned stone patio and umbrellas with yellow and white stripes that are almost exactly like those at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida. The move has caused controversy among historians, garden aficionados, and political analysts.
Trump made a brief visit last week, dancing to his own music, and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the umbrellas were actually flown in from Mar-a-Lago, giving reporters their first close-up view of the renovated area.
The goal of the makeover, which was finished in August, was to improve the Rose Garden’s event space and solve its ongoing drainage problems.
First Lady Ellen Wilson created the Rose Garden in 1913, and it has long been used as a venue for state banquets, presidential ceremonies, and historic announcements.
Several administrations have changed it over the years, most notably Melania Trump in 2020 and Rachel Lambert Mellon during the Kennedy administration.
However, the most recent change, which substitutes stone for grass and adds resort-style umbrellas, is a significant break from custom.
Some say that the new aesthetic transforms Mar-a-Lago from a private club to a national icon of democracy, while others view the modifications as pragmatic.
The Rose Garden’s new appearance is currently the buzz of the town, regardless of whether the umbrellas are here to stay or are only for special occasions.
