Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Trump Replaces White House Rose Garden Roses With Statues
President Donald Trump changed the White House Rose Garden by replacing much of its grass with a stone patio.
The new design looks similar to an outdoor area at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida.
Several statues of important American historical figures are now displayed there.
One statue shows Thomas Jefferson writing the Declaration of Independence.
Sculptor George Lundeen gave that statue to the White House.
It arrived late because security around the July Fourth celebrations delayed its delivery.
The White House says Trump’s projects make the grounds look better and keep them in good condition.
Some preservation and cultural heritage groups disagree with parts of Trump’s larger building plans.
They have sued to stop a proposed statue garden, saying Congress must approve it first.
President Donald Trump replaced the Rose Garden’s lawn with a white stone patio modeled after his Mar-a-Lago space.
Statues of Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin and Revolutionary War soldiers now occupy the garden.
Sculptor George Lundeen donated the Jefferson statue after it missed planned July Fourth delivery because of security-related shipping delays.
The White House says the statues and renovations beautify and preserve the presidential complex, while critics oppose Trump’s proposed National Garden of American Heroes.
Trump’s broader White House projects include an Oval Office makeover, a ballroom, a helipad and other construction around Washington.
- Who
- President Donald Trump, the White House, sculptor George Lundeen, and preservation and cultural heritage organizations are central to the story.
- What
- Trump’s Rose Garden has been redesigned with a white stone patio and several statues, including a newly added statue of Thomas Jefferson.
- When
- The Jefferson statue was added after the July Fourth celebrations; the broader renovations are ongoing during Trump’s presidency.
- Where
- The Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, D.C.; related projects are planned or underway around the White House and National Mall.
- Why
- The White House says the changes beautify and preserve the grounds, while organizations suing over the proposed national statue garden say congressional authorization is required.
White House and Renovation Supporters
Preservation and Cultural Heritage Critics
Purpose of the changes
White House and Renovation Supporters
The White House says Trump’s statues and renovations beautify the White House and address long-overdue maintenance needs.
Preservation and Cultural Heritage Critics
Critics have challenged Trump’s broader construction and statue plans through legal action, reflecting concerns about preservation and cultural heritage.
Authority for the proposed statue garden
White House and Renovation Supporters
Trump is pursuing a National Garden of American Heroes near the National Mall featuring 250 historically significant Americans.
Preservation and Cultural Heritage Critics
Organizations suing to stop the project argue that Congress must authorize the garden before it can be built.
- Latest statue
- A bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson signing the Declaration of Independence, donated by sculptor George Lundeen.
- Other Rose Garden statues
- Statues of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin and two Revolutionary War soldiers are displayed there.
- Garden redesign
- The former lawn was replaced with a white stone patio modeled after an outdoor space at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club.
- Jefferson statue delay
- The sculpture missed the planned July Fourth delivery after being held up on a truck amid heightened event security.
- Washington statue lender
- The White House said the George Washington statue was lent by real estate investor Harlan Crow.
- Proposed national garden
- Trump’s National Garden of American Heroes plan would feature statues of 250 Americans near the National Mall.
- Legal challenge
- Several preservation and cultural heritage organizations sued to block the proposed garden, arguing that Congress must authorize it.