Former President Donald Trump has introduced yellow and white striped umbrellas from his Mar-a-Lago resort to the White House Rose Garden, according to administration officials. The new additions were showcased during a recent tour, where Trump's playlist, including 'Whiter Shade of Pale' by Procol Harum, played over speakers.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the umbrellas' origin, stating, 'They are literally the umbrellas from Mar-a-Lago.' The Rose Garden's grass has been replaced with white stone, tables, and chairs, mirroring the aesthetic of Trump's Florida golf resort. Leavitt noted that the construction is complete and that Trump suggested the first party on the new patio would be for the press.
Trump defended the renovation, citing issues with the previous grass surface. 'When we had a press conference, you’d sink into the mud. It was grass and it was very wet... It’s a beautiful white stone... it’s going to reflect the heat,' he said earlier this month. The changes have drawn mixed reactions online, with some criticising the design as tacky while others defended the preservation of the roses.
Other modifications to the White House under Trump include gold accents in the Oval Office and plans for a 90,000-square-foot golden ballroom, dubbed the 'White House State Ballroom,' set to begin construction in September.
