Trump eyes paving over Rose Garden as part of White House makeover

President Trump is reportedly eyeing plans to pave over the historic Rose Garden at the White House, giving it the patio-like feel of his club in Florida.

Mr. Trump has already put his stamp on parts of the White House. There is a collection of golden figures and medallions in the Oval Office, in line with his signature lavish style, and he’s dramatically increased the number of portraits hanging on the walls.

Now, Mr. Trump is considering a remake of the Rose Garden that would resemble the paved area where he courts friends at his beloved Mar-a-Lago home.

“He’s personally reviewed those blueprints and even met with the curators as he seeks to put his stamp not just on the Oval Office, but really the entire West Wing in general,” CNN’s Kaitlan Collins said in an Instagram report.

Mr. Trump is famous for using the patio to host visitors to his Mar-a-Lago club and has been known to play disc jockey by taking over the music selection on the sound system.

Attempts to redo the Rose Garden would be controversial. It is an iconic and verdant space at the White House where U.S. presidents hold press conferences and court global leaders when the weather is suitable.

Most of the Rose Garden area consists of a grassy rectangle, which is bordered by beds of rose bushes and other flowering plants.

First lady Melania Trump oversaw a renovation of the Rose Garden during Mr. Trump’s first term that replaced the irrigation system and made other updates. Some critics found it bland while others said it was overdue, particularly to improve walkways and help the lawn drain properly.

The White House did not comment directly on Mr. Trump’s plans but signaled that changes are afoot.

“The White House has not been given any tender, loving care in many decades so President Trump is taking necessary steps in order to preserve and restore the greatness and glory of ‘The People’s House.’” White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said.

Mr. Trump seemed to confirm the plan in a February interview with The Spectator.

“You see the grass outside. So we’re going to make that into a stone surface because you can’t have it,” Mr. Trump said, referring to White House grounds that are used for hosting. I think it’s actually going to look better. But some people would like to leave it. But the problem is you can’t.”

“We had the press here yesterday,” Mr. Trump said. “Do you see the women there? They’re going crazy. The grass was wet. Their heels are going right through the grass, like four inches deep.”

Mr. Trump, a real estate developer by trade, has mulled big changes to the White House since his first presidential run in 2016. Speaking to an Iowa rally at the time, he said the White House could use better event spaces.

“Every time the top people come over from China … they put up a tent at the White House,” he said. “We’ll have a ballroom at the White House.”