Trump White House Begins Paving Over Rose Garden 5 Years After Melania's Controversial Redesign

[mystery-ak]

Trump White House Begins Paving Over Rose Garden 5 Years After Melania's Controversial Redesign

A White House official tells PEOPLE that the new construction "builds on the work done in 2020" and is focused on "enhancing practical use and guest experience"
By Meredith Kile
Published on June 11, 2025 02:27PM EDT



President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump began their latest White House renovation on June 9, which involves paving over the Rose Garden lawn.

The garden area is used to host press conferences, dignitaries, sports teams and special events, and the president has explained that the soft ground can cause people to fall.

The president has also promised to self-fund the addition of two massive flagpoles, one on each side of the White House.
 President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump began their latest White House renovations on Monday, June 9, as workers broke ground to begin paving over parts of the historic Rose Garden.

Photos of the initial construction show a grassy area being dug up and parts of a limestone border — installed by Melania during her husband’s first term in office — being moved so that workers can lay down a concrete surface within the border.

In a March interview with Fox News' Laura Ingraham, Trump explained his reasoning for turning the grass lawn into something of a presidential patio in the style of Mar-a-Lago.

“You know, we use [the Rose Garden] for press conferences, and it doesn’t work because the people fall,” he said. The terrain can be wet, and the soft ground can be an issue for some, Trump added. "Women, with the high heels, it just didn’t work.”

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https://people.com/trump-white-house-begins-paving-over-rose-garden-11752665

[berdie]

I'm very divided over this. It's such a pretty area. Seems like a shame to turn it into a "patio". Of course, I have never and most likely never  will have to walk there.

[Wingnut]

Joni Mitchel must be beside herself in her Big Yellow Taxi.

[libertybele]

I'm very divided over this. It's such a pretty area. Seems like a shame to turn it into a "patio". Of course, I have never and most likely never  will have to walk there.

I'm not in favor of paving over a green area, especially with roses.  Seems senseless to me.

[berdie]

Joni Mitchel must be beside herself in her Big Yellow Taxi.

  Great reference!

[roamer_1]

Depends on how it's done... I have seen simply brilliant gardens with paved paths and patios - Though I would admit that I like terracotta brickwork pavers rather than concrete - Concrete does not have a very long life around a lot of water... Brickwork is more bothersome, but it can be easily repaired.