The White House Rose Garden, an iconic outdoor space with a rich history, has been renamed “The Rose Garden Club” by President Donald Trump. This change reflects the president’s penchant for rebranding and personalizing spaces, akin to his private clubs like Mar-a-Lago in Florida. The garden, traditionally used for official ceremonies and gatherings, was set to host a dinner for tech leaders on Thursday night, but inclement weather forced a change of plans.
Originally conceived by First Lady Edith Roosevelt in 1903 and named by Ellen Wilson, the wife of President Woodrow Wilson, the Rose Garden has seen numerous transformations. Under Jacqueline Kennedy in the 1960s, it was redesigned to host various formal events. Trump’s reimagining of the garden includes a new name and a significant redesign, paving over the grass with stone and adding outdoor tables and seating reminiscent of Mar-a-Lago’s patio.
Trump’s Vision for the White House
The renaming of the Rose Garden is part of a broader effort by President Trump to leave his mark on the White House. His administration has undertaken several renovations, including redecorating the Oval Office with gold furnishings and planning the construction of a new ballroom off the East Wing. These changes reflect Trump’s desire to infuse his personal style into the historic residence.
White House spokesman Davis Ingle described the revamped garden as “the hottest place to be in Washington, or perhaps the world,” highlighting the president’s enthusiasm for the new design. Ingle added that Trump looks forward to hosting numerous dinners for business, political, and tech leaders on the new patio.
Tech Leaders Gather Amidst Rain
Despite the rain, the planned dinner went ahead indoors in the State Dining Room. Notable attendees included Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Apple CEO Tim Cook, and OpenAI boss Sam Altman. The gathering underscored the administration’s ongoing engagement with tech industry leaders.
During a brief Q&A session with journalists, Trump was asked about the upcoming employment figures, the first since he dismissed the former head of the labor statistics bureau. He remained noncommittal, stating, “We’ll see, I don’t know, they come out tomorrow.” He emphasized his belief that future job numbers would improve significantly as new projects come to fruition.
Controversies and Conversations
The dinner also provided a platform for discussing various contentious topics. Trump addressed the recent appearance of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. before a congressional committee, where Kennedy faced scrutiny over his vaccine skepticism. Trump praised Kennedy’s unconventional ideas, stating, “He’s got a different take, and we want to listen to all of those takes.”
Additionally, Zuckerberg was questioned about the United Kingdom’s censorship of social media posts, a topic with potential implications for other countries, including Australia. Trump expressed his disapproval of the UK’s approach, remarking, “Strange things are happening over here. I’m very surprised to see what’s happening … it’s not a good thing.”
Looking Ahead
The rebranding of the Rose Garden as “The Rose Garden Club” marks a new chapter for the historic space. As President Trump continues to reshape the White House, the garden’s transformation is emblematic of his broader vision for the presidency. With plans for future events and gatherings, the Rose Garden Club is poised to become a focal point for the administration’s engagements with influential figures.
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