Renovations to the White House Rose Garden under Donald Trump’s second term have caused widespread backlash. Beginning June 9, the historic garden’s grass was replaced with gravel, leaving it “nearly unrecognizable,” with only the hedges untouched.

Trump, joined by Melania Trump, cited safety concerns, saying, “The terrain can be wet… women, with high heels, it just didn’t work.” A White House official described the project as a “restoration” to improve function and honor tradition.

Online critics strongly disagreed. One user on X wrote, “To remove Kennedy’s Rose Garden is removing a piece of our White House history.” Others labeled the changes “crazy” and unnecessary.

This isn’t the first controversy. Melania’s 2020 redesign also drew criticism, though she defended it as modernization.

Additional changes are underway, including a new ballroom and flagpoles. Trump said, “They’ve needed flagpoles for 200 years,” and claimed he’s funding the work himself.

Seen speaking with workers on June 18, Trump remains involved, but many continue to question the project’s value and its impact on a national symbol.