From Roses to Concrete

Photos reveal crews tearing up the limestone border added during Melania’s controversial 2020 redesign to make way for a concrete patio. According to Trump, functionality—not aesthetics—is the goal.

“We use [the Rose Garden] for press conferences, and it doesn’t work because people fall,” Trump told Fox News host Laura Ingraham in March.
“The terrain can be wet, and soft ground is an issue—especially for women in high heels.”

Critics Push Back

Despite claims that the project will improve usability, backlash has been swift. Critics on social media argue the updates erase historical significance.

“To remove Kennedy’s Rose Garden is to remove part of our White House history,” one user wrote on X.
“White House Rose Garden gone. Absolutely crazy,” posted another.

The reaction mirrors the outrage Melania faced in 2020, when she replaced colorful blooms with a more muted design. In response, she stated:

“The Rose Garden is graced with a healthy & colorful blossoming of roses.”

Still, some experts remained skeptical. NBC News presidential historian Michael Beschloss called her redesign “grim.”