Abdelrahman
President Trump has been actively reshaping the federal government, altering U.S. foreign policy, engaging in trade negotiations, and securing confirmations for his Cabinet appointments. Amidst these extensive responsibilities, he has also expressed a desire to undertake a personal project: he wants to replace the iconic grass in the White House’s Rose Garden with a hard surface, aiming to create a patio reminiscent of the one at his Mar-a-Lago estate.
Designers have begun drafting various plans for transforming the surface of the Rose Garden, which is strategically located near the Oval Office and Cabinet Room. Discussions have revolved around whether to use limestone or another easily modifiable hard surface, with ideas for hardwood flooring to facilitate dancing, as shared by several insiders who requested anonymity to protect the confidentiality of the conversations. Interestingly, the rose plantings themselves are expected to remain intact.
In addition to these plans for the outdoor space, Trump is considering installing an ornate chandelier in the Oval Office. While he has already adorned the walls with numerous portraits, including a notable display featuring his own mugshot from an indictment in Georgia, further embellishments with gold decorative items are in the works, something that was executed by a Mar-a-Lago property manager.
Trump has also revived an earlier vision of creating a ballroom in the White House, akin to the one he has at Mar-a-Lago, which he estimates could cost around $100 million. This idea, however, remains in the conceptual stage, whereas the modifications to the Rose Garden are actively being discussed.
A White House representative has not provided comments on these proposed changes. Through conversations with associates, Trump has emphasized his intention to create a better entertaining environment, inspired by the patio experience he enjoys at Mar-a-Lago, which often includes socializing with guests while curating a loud musical playlist.
The opinion of First Lady Melania Trump on these patio renovations is not known. During Trump’s previous term, she redesigned the Rose Garden, a move that sparked some controversy due to updates made to the irrigation system and a broader critical reception of the Trump presidency. Nonetheless, she took pride in the revamped garden, but her spokesperson did not offer comments related to the current patio plans.
Over the years, the White House has undergone numerous renovations, sometimes falling into disrepair. Notably, Jacqueline Kennedy established the White House Historical Association to create guidelines for modifications, which have typically been respected.
According to Katherine Jellison, a professor who closely observes the role of first ladies, Kennedy’s efforts in safeguarding the historical integrity of the White House stand out as significant achievements. Meanwhile, historian Timothy Naftali pointed out the common understanding among presidential families that the White House serves as a museum for the American people, cautioning against extensive deviations from tradition in public spaces.
Even though the White House Historical Association lacks official authority over the premises, it initially assisted Melania Trump with the placement of artwork during her Rose Garden renovation. The upkeep of the Rose Garden falls under the National Park Service’s jurisdiction, which operates within the Department of the Interior.
The Rose Garden, first designed by Ellen Wilson, the wife of President Woodrow Wilson, in 1913, has seen various modern influences from presidential families, including Gerald Ford’s outdoor swimming pool and Barack Obama’s basketball court. However, the proposal to replace the garden’s grass with a hard surface—while retaining its floral elements—would mark a significant deviation from tradition.
Naftali notes that this kind of approach aligns with Trump’s broader public persona, as he often seeks to disrupt established national norms pertaining to elite aesthetics and traditions.
