First lady Melania Trump was unimpressed with Donald Trump's decision to rip up the White House Rose Garden and replace it with a stone patio, the president revealed on Monday.
Speaking at a dinner for the Rose Garden Club, Trump said he had received "a little heat" at home over the makeover — one of several, some controversial, changes he has made to the White House since returning to office in January 2025.
Trump Defends Renovation
"I want to welcome you to the Rose Garden. You know, this is a whole new thing," Trump told guests. "This used to be grass," he added.
Trump then recalled Melania Trump's reaction to the redesign. "And I took a little heat from my wife," he said. "She said, 'Darling, what did you do with my grass?'"
The president said he defended the change to his wife. "I said, 'People got tired of standing in mud,'" Trump explained.
Practical Concerns Behind the Change
"You know, the White House, you don't realize this, it's built on a wetland," he continued. "So it didn't have to rain. The grass was always soaking wet."
He added that reporters attending outdoor events frequently struggled with the muddy conditions. "If you had a news conference, the reporters — who are back there, I think — the reporters, they walk out with their shoes," Trump said. "The female reporters, in particular, they weren't thrilled."
Trump praised the finished renovation, pointing to the newly installed stonework.
Broader White House Criticisms
Later in the speech, Trump also took aim at what he claimed was the condition of the White House before his return to office, saying the residence was a "shit house" when he moved back in but is now "tippy-top."
Trump has previously admitted that his wife hates his dancing and weightlifting impressions, which he uses to mock and slam transgender athletes.
