Trump Slammed for Turning Rose Garden Into ‘Parking Lot’
“Trump killed the roses like he’s killing everything else that made America great.”

Getty Images
President Donald Trump’s long-awaited makeover of the White House Rose Garden left much to be desired for online social media commentators.
A drastic departure from its former sprawling, lush lawn, one commentator roasted the tombstone-colored terrace as a “parking lot.”
“Trump turned Jackie Kennedy’s Rose Garden into a parking lot. Sad day for history and nature,” wrote one commentator on X.
Trump turned Jackie Kennedy’s Rose Garden into a parking lot. Sad day for history and nature.
— KP Firecracker 🧨 (@JustDoItPruett) August 1, 2025
Another X commentator added, “Trump killed the roses like he’s killing everything else that made America great.”
ADVERTISEMENT
“This is how you know Trump is from Queens,” another user said.
This is how you know Trump is from Queens https://t.co/CavdZQ0plR
— 回 (@3_under_scores_) August 2, 2025
News that the MAGA figurehead was plotting to pave over the garden space emerged in February. The New York Times reported that Trump wished to transform the historic garden into an events space with an interchangeable floor.
The roses will “stay,” Trump told Fox News host Laura Ingraham in March, adding that there were practical reasons behind why he wished to remodel the garden’s grassy center.
Get the best of The Beast delivered right to your inbox
By clicking “SUBSCRIBE” you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
“You know, we use [the Rose Garden] for press conferences, and it doesn’t work because the people fall. ... It just didn’t work,” Trump said, citing “women with the high heels.”

Vice President Walter F. Mondale (left) and President Jimmy Carter (right) in the Rose Garden in April 1978. President Donald Trump paved over the lawn in the garden, setting off criticism on social media.
White House via CNP/Getty Images
For one X commentator, the idea was better than the execution.
“Looks awful. Devoid of life. Just more concrete in the concrete jungle,” they wrote. “Could have at least interlaid brick or some sort of designed pattern.”
The fact that he turned the rose garden into fucking cement is such a perfect metaphor for everything these people do pic.twitter.com/wMB93vazSs
— evan loves worf (@esjesjesj) August 1, 2025
Another commentator added on X, “The fact that he turned the rose garden into f---ing cement is such a perfect metaphor for everything these people do.”
Or perhaps it was just a bad picture, another commentator proposed on X, writing, “Preferred the grass than this sterile look. But maybe the picture is just unflattering.”
New look at White House Rose Garden after Trump changes pic.twitter.com/OAW8cFkKC5
— NewsWire (@NewsWire_US) August 1, 2025
In another quip about the minimalism of the space, a commentator wrote on X, “Surely they’re bringing in some plants? I know…ironic.”
According to the White House Historical Association, the Rose Garden was planted in 1913 according to the specifications of First Lady Ellen Axson Wilson, 28th President Woodrow Wilson’s first wife. The garden was revitalized under the direction of President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jackie in 1961.
The Daily Beast has contacted the White House for comment.
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.

