The White House Rose Garden has long been a symbol of American history and diplomacy, serving as the setting for state dinners, ceremonies, and peace treaty signings since its creation in 1913. But in 2025, President Donald Trump has given this storied space a dramatic—and controversial—makeover, transforming it into what he now calls the "Rose Garden Club," a venue that unmistakably echoes the exclusive ambiance of his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
According to reports from the Associated Press and other outlets, the transformation of the Rose Garden is both physical and cultural. The once-immaculate lawn outside the Oval Office has been replaced by a new stone patio, ringed with yellow-and-white striped umbrellas that closely resemble those found by the pool at Mar-a-Lago. Around a dozen deck-style tables now dot the patio, each topped with matching parasols, creating an atmosphere more reminiscent of a private club than a presidential garden.
Trump’s motivation for the overhaul was, at least in part, practical—or so he claimed. In March 2025, the president publicly declared his intention to pave over the Rose Garden’s grass, explaining, “the grass is always wet, meaning it is an inconvenience for women in high heels.” The decision, while couched in concern for guests, has drawn both praise and criticism from various quarters, with some lamenting the loss of the garden’s traditional look and others embracing the new, resort-like feel.
While the Rose Garden has seen renovations before—most notably by John F. Kennedy in 1961—Trump’s approach is unprecedented in its personalization. As the Associated Press observed, "Trump’s rebranding of an iconic area of the People’s House is unprecedented. It’s a fresh example of how the billionaire Republican is replicating the gilded and cloistered bubble of his private life inside the confines of the most famous government housing in the country."
The cost of the renovation, about $2 million, was covered by the Trust for the National Mall, a nonprofit organization that partners with the National Park Service. This funding method has not insulated the project from controversy, as critics question the wisdom of such a lavish transformation at a time of political and economic uncertainty. Still, Trump has remained undeterred, telling reporters in September 2025 that he received “great reviews” on the redesign.
The Rose Garden Club is not just a visual transformation; it is now the epicenter of a new style of presidential entertaining. Trump debuted the club’s name during a formal dinner on September 5, 2025, and has since included it on his official public schedule. The guest list, however, is tightly controlled. As reported by the Associated Press, “only some of the president's political allies, business executives and administration officials have been invited.” This exclusivity has only added to the mystique—and the criticism—surrounding the new venue.
At the inaugural dinner, Republican lawmakers gathered under the clear night sky at two dozen tables, complete with white tablecloths, yellow roses, and place cards reading, "The Rose Garden Club at the White House." The menu featured a Rose Garden Salad, steak or chicken, and chocolate cake for dessert. Trump, ever the host, sat at a corner table with House Speaker Mike Johnson, Rep. Ronny Jackson, and Sen. Dave McCormick, while other lawmakers stopped by for photos with the president. One guest, Rep. John McGuire of Virginia, posted online, "It was a honor to be there."
Music, too, has become part of the experience. Trump installed a speaker system on the patio, curating playlists that reflect his personal tastes—another nod to the Mar-a-Lago lifestyle. The president’s penchant for hospitality is well known; as AP notes, “Trump, who rose to fame as a New York real estate executive, also ran casinos and hotels, and he still loves playing host. He frequently flatters his guests as brilliant and beautiful and relishes the ability to gather the country’s most powerful people.”
Presidents have always used White House invitations as a way to reward friends and supporters, but the Rose Garden Club takes this tradition to a new level. Trump’s reimagining of the space as a private club has sparked debate about the boundaries between public office and personal brand. Some see it as a natural extension of presidential privilege, while others worry about the symbolism of turning a national landmark into what feels like an exclusive retreat.
Events held at the Rose Garden Club so far have been official in nature, continuing the long tradition of presidential entertaining. Military social aides escort guests, and White House kitchen staff prepare the meals. Taxpayers, through congressional appropriations, foot the bill for some events—such as gatherings for Republican lawmakers—since the White House also serves as the president’s home. More personal affairs, like family parties or funerals, are covered by the president himself.
Trump’s embrace of the Rose Garden Club comes at a time when he is spending less time at his New Jersey golf course and more time in Washington, fully inhabiting the role of host-in-chief. The change is not just about aesthetics; it reflects a broader effort to bring the comforts and exclusivity of his private life into the public sphere of the presidency.
Looking ahead, Trump’s ambitions for the White House extend beyond the garden. He has announced plans to build a £151 million ballroom in the East Wing, measuring some 90,000 square feet and seating up to 950 attendees. Designed to host grand state dinners for visiting foreign leaders, the ballroom’s construction is to be funded by Trump and unspecified donors. If realized, it would be one of the most significant expansions of the White House in decades, further cementing the president’s vision of a more lavish and entertainment-focused Executive Mansion.
As the Rose Garden Club settles into its new role, reactions remain mixed. Supporters see it as a bold update to a venerable tradition, while critics view it as an unnecessary and self-indulgent departure from the garden’s historic character. But whether one applauds or laments the changes, there’s no denying that Trump’s imprint on the White House—and on the American presidency—continues to grow, one umbrella and playlist at a time.
With the Rose Garden Club now firmly established, the White House stands as both a seat of government and, for better or worse, a reflection of its current occupant’s personal style and priorities.
