Donald Trump, who is the US President, replaced the lawn at Rose Garden at the White House with cement pavers several months ago — despite its vast, 60-year history
Donald Trump is pictured at a press conference(Image: Getty Images)
Maverick Donald Trump had to hastily install fake grass in the White House garden to host Easter events — after tearing up the natural lawn months ago.
The US President, 79, had the grass replaced by cement and stone tiles last year because he bizarrely felt the lawn became “an issue for… women in high heels” when it rained. However, with Easter events scheduled last weekend, including a story time event for parents and children, the Trump administration felt the Rose Garden wasn’t quite right.
And so the team scrambled to put small, rectangular strips of fake grass in the garden in time for the celebrations. They were placed underneath rows of white benches where families gathered for story time.
The debacle comes after Mr Trump was dealt a humiliating blow by a federal judge who ruled the US President had “no authority” over one of his centrepiece projects — his White House ballroom construction project. The judge halted construction on the work last week.
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Strips of fake grass were placed under rows of white benches among other places (Image: Getty Images)
But Mr Trump was able, last year, to make the huge changes to the Rose Garden, one of the most cherished areas of the People’s House. That is despite its rich history, since President John F Kennedy and his wife, Jackie Kennedy, identified it in 1961 as a green space which could accommodate high-level ceremonies on its central lawn.
It had been used in those decades for such ceremonies, including press conferences. However, Mr Trump decided it wasn’t fit for purpose, stating last year: “You know, we use [the Rose Garden] for press conferences, and it doesn’t work because the people fall. The terrain can be wet, and the soft ground can be an issue for some… Women, with the high heels, it just didn’t work.”
There had been no reported cases in the press of anyone falling in the garden, or that of women – or men – having difficulty navigating the terrain. When the work was carried out, though, the garden was significantly scaled back and iconic items, such as the Kennedys’ crabapple trees, were removed.
Instead, concrete pavers and patio furniture — some of which was directly inspired by Mr Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida — were installed. Speaking last year, the White House said: “President Trump continues to implement long-overdue and necessary renovations to beautify the People’s House as we approach our great Nation’s 250th anniversary of independence.”
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