Keep Factually independent
Whether you agree or disagree with our analysis, these conversations matter for democracy. We don't take money from political groups - even a $5 donation helps us keep it that way.
Fact check: What were the criticisms of Melania Trump's Rose Garden design changes?
1. Summary of the results
The criticisms of Melania Trump's Rose Garden design changes were extensive and came from multiple sources. Historian Michael Beschloss emerged as one of the most vocal critics, describing the 2020 renovation as an "evisceration" of the historic garden and calling the result "grim" [1] [2]. Beschloss specifically claimed the redesign erased decades of American history [2].
The renovation involved removing a large portion of the garden's vegetation, including beloved crab apple trees, and planting new rose bushes [3]. Critics described the renovated garden as looking "neutered" after the changes [1]. Social media users were particularly vocal, with one stating that removing the historic garden was "removing a piece of our White House history" and another calling it "absolutely crazy" [4] [5].
Melania Trump's office responded to the criticism by stating that Beschloss showed a picture of the garden "in its infancy" and that the garden was actually "graced with a healthy & colorful blossoming of roses" [1].
2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints
The analyses reveal important context often missing from discussions of the Rose Garden controversy. Some people involved in the renovation process argued that the changes were necessary due to decades of wear and tear and the need for a more practical space [1]. This practical justification is rarely mentioned in criticism.
Additionally, Reuters fact-checking revealed that claims about Melania Trump removing roses from all past First Ladies since 1913 were false [6]. The original roses had actually been removed in 1962, and subsequent administrations have changed certain roses throughout the years. The crab apple trees had been replaced since the Kennedy administration and were planned to be replanted on the White House grounds [6].
The controversy has been reignited in 2025 with new renovations that appear to involve bulldozing and paving over the Rose Garden, suggesting the criticism extends beyond just Melania Trump's specific changes [4] [5].
3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement
The original question itself doesn't contain misinformation, but the broader discourse around the Rose Garden renovation contains several misleading elements. False claims circulated that Melania Trump removed roses planted by all First Ladies since 1913, when in fact the original plantings had been changed multiple times over decades [6].
Historian Michael Beschloss's criticism may have been misleading as Melania Trump's office pointed out he showed pictures of the garden "in its infancy" rather than its mature state [1]. This suggests some critics may have used unflattering timing or imagery to support their arguments.
The focus on "removing Kennedy's Rose Garden" [5] also appears to be historically inaccurate, as the garden had undergone multiple changes since the Kennedy administration, with crab apple trees having been replaced since that time [6].