Last night, President Donald J. Trump hosted a lavish dinner to debut the newly renovated White House Rose Garden, rebranded as the “Rose Garden Club,” a bold transformation of the iconic outdoor space into a luxurious patio reminiscent of his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. The event, attended by approximately 100 guests, primarily Republican lawmakers, marked the first official gathering in the revamped garden, which has sparked both praise and criticism for its dramatic makeover.
A New Vision for the Rose Garden
The Rose Garden, a historic venue near the Oval Office, has long served as a backdrop for presidential speeches, press conferences, and ceremonies since its redesign by Jacqueline Kennedy and horticulturist Rachel “Bunny” Mellon in the 1960s. However, President Trump, citing practical concerns such as soggy terrain that caused high-heeled shoes to sink during press events, spearheaded a renovation to replace the central grassy lawn with a white stone patio. The project, completed in early August 2025 and funded by private donations through the Trust for the National Mall, introduced tables with yellow-and-white striped umbrellas, new lighting, and a speaker system, evoking the aesthetic of Mar-a-Lago’s Beach Club.
Trump described the renovation as a necessary upgrade, stating at the dinner, “We call it the Rose Garden Club. And it’s a club for senators, for congresspeople and for people in Washington, and frankly, people that can bring peace and success to our country.” He noted that the new stone surface, matching the White House’s exterior, reflects heat to stay cool and improves accessibility, addressing past issues with muddy conditions. The garden’s flower beds and roses, however, remain intact, preserving some of its historic charm.
A Star-Studded Inaugural Event
The Friday night gala, held on September 5, 2025, welcomed a host of prominent Republican figures, including Vice President JD Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), and Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), and Representatives Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), Brian Babin (R-Texas), and Riley Moore (R-W.V.). Guests enjoyed a menu featuring a Rose Garden salad, a choice of New York Strip steak, thyme-roasted chicken, or vegetarian pasta, and a fudge-filled cake for dessert.
House Speaker Johnson praised the event on X, calling it “epic” and thanking Trump for his “hospitality & visionary leadership.” Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) wrote, “President Trump’s renovation of the Rose Garden will be enjoyed by Americans for generations to come,” while Representative Babin described it as a “beautiful evening” that underscored Trump’s “America First” agenda. Freshman Representative Riley Moore expressed gratitude for the invitation, posting, “Awesome night celebrating the first night at the NEW Rose Garden Club!”
The dinner followed a high-profile event the previous night, where Trump hosted tech and business leaders, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, in the State Dining Room due to rain. That event, originally planned for the Rose Garden, focused on Trump’s “America First” manufacturing agenda, with the president urging tech moguls to invest in U.S. infrastructure.
Great night and wisely kept the Roses