Melania Trump shared the new looks of the White House Rose Garden on Saturday. She posted four photos, on Twitter, adding that she is "excited" to celebrate and "honor" history.
The unveiling of the newly renovated iconic garden comes ahead of the Republican National Convention. The First Lady will use the garden as a "backdrop" when she delivers her speech on Tuesday, according to CNN.
The renovations started last month. But, before the construction, White House staff and officials, including the United States President, frequently used the area to hold news conferences amid the COVID-19 crisis.
The restoration, reportedly, resembles the original design of the Rose Garden. President John F. Kennedy, alongside his wife, established the iconic garden in 1962.
Reports said that the garden had not undergone any "comprehensive refresh" and renovation since then. So, when Melania Trump announced her plans to renovate last month, it caught the attention of many, noting that it received divided responses from the public.
The First Lady shared her goals upon the announcement. She, reportedly, said that the renovation was to "fulfill" the needs of the "modern presidency." This is why the Rose Garden now features modern equipment, including for audio and visual capabilities, as well as lighting for television cameras.
The cost of the renovations has remained undisclosed before the public. But, White House officials claimed that they were paid for by "private donations," according to USA Today.
Despite the successful revamp, the resulting look of Melania Trump's move received mixed evaluations from the public. On social media, netizens shared their thoughts and opinions about the new Rose Garden.
While many individuals praised the First Lady for her effort in making the garden "more beautiful" and "elegant," several critics said that she "destroyed" the beauty of the Rose Garden, adding that it is "horrible." Many of the detractors, also, posted the before and after look of the garden, pointing out that she "paved paradise" as the new design, allegedly, cut off the Cherry Blossom trees to make way for the limestone sidewalks.
Amid all the criticisms, Melania Trump will continue with the plan to use the newly renovated Rose Garden for her speech on Tuesday. Reports said that choosing it as the location to deliver her speech is just one of the ways how the RNC will break "political norms."
The Trumps will, reportedly, be the first family to use the Executive Mansion for a political convention. Apart from the First Lady's speech, her husband will, also, share his at the South Lawn of the White House, on Thursday.
