The Rose Garden at the White House, a historical gem, has seen some major changes lately thanks to President Trump’s vision. Though the renovation is not set to wrap up until mid-August, several recent photos are giving us an early look at how dramatically the space has transformed, particularly near the Oval Office and the West Wing. An interesting snapshot from July 22 (see above) showcases what appears to be a large stone surface covering what used to be a neatly trimmed lawn.
Whispers about Trump’s desire to significantly alter the area surfaced soon after his second term got rolling. Back in February 2025, New York Times caught wind that Trump had mentioned wanting to replace the green lawn with something harder, saying it should mimic the patio at Mar-a-Lago.
In an interview with The Spectator, Trump confirmed his intentions of paving the area with a “stone surface,” declaring, “It’s going to be beautiful. I think it’ll actually look better. Some people would prefer to leave it the same, but you can’t. We had the press here yesterday, did you see the ladies? They lost their balance because the grass was soggy. Their heels were sinking right into it, like four inches!”
He reiterated these thoughts a month later during a chat with Laura Ingraham, stating that the Rose Garden serves as a setting for press events and isn’t up to par for that purpose. “The land gets wet, and the soft ground can be hazardous, especially for women in high heels,” he expressed.
Continuing on his positive outlook about the alterations, he stated, “The roses are here to stay. Remember, it’s still a rose garden. All of this venture is just focused on the center area… I think it’ll end up looking splendid; possibly even more splendid than before.”
The Rose Garden we’ve known, primarily a lawn surrounded by rose bushes, has roots tracing back to the early 1900s. Its renowned design came into being during President Kennedy’s time, aided by the efforts of the storied Rachel Lambert “Bunny” Mellon. Over the years, this beautifully crafted space has been the backdrop for countless formal dinners, press talks, and award ceremonies.
As Mellon reminisced later, “The President appreciated that there was no garden at the White House that matched the beauty of those he had encountered in Europe during his visits. He saw the value that well-maintained gardens add to the allure of an official residence and wanted to urgently revamp the area known as the Rose Garden into something both functional and appealing.”
As Trump’s first term neared its end, First Lady Melania Trump took the initiative to give the Rose Garden a makeover, marking the first major design change in six decades—a move that stirred plenty of discussions.
Officials told People, “This restoration aims to preserve the essential beauty of the space while also enhancing its practical use and enriching the overall experience of guests at special events.”
This news coming out now aligns with Republican efforts in the House to rename one of the theater spaces at the Kennedy Center in honor of Melania Trump. Jack Schlossberg, the only grandson of JFK, reacted strongly on social media, stating, “This isn’t about supporting the arts. Trump’s fixation on outshining JFK is evident.” Catch his full statement here.
This article was updated on July 24 with new imagery.
