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Supporters of first lady Melania Trump’s recent renovations to the historic White House Rose Garden are pushing back against critics, noting among other things that one of the major improvements made includes new access to the area for people with disabilities.
“The Rose Garden layout we have all come to know and treasure was designed during the Kennedy Administration by Bunny Mellon. For 60 years, this space has served as the backdrop for many important events. The garden has also served as a peaceful outdoor escape for many administrations and their guests,” a statement from the first lady said.
“The changes you see tonight are the result of a thoughtful and collaborative process carefully crafted with the help of scholars and experts in architecture, horticulture, design, and historic preservation,” she added.
Noting that the improvements made included upgrades to “infrastructure and utilities” to better “meet the needs of a busy White House,” the first lady added: “These improvements also make the garden fully accessible to all Americans, including those with disabilities.”
A Twitter user posted a comparison photo of the before-and-after Rose Garden to demonstrate improved access.
Upper Kennedy Rose Garden Lower Trump Rose Garden But let’s freak out. pic.twitter.com/ihctTHu4nN
— Dan Donovan🌺 (@Dan_Donovan_17) August 24, 2020
Nevertheless, the complaints continued to pour in.
This woman.
In March, as Pandemic began, it was a tennis pavilion.
Now, as +175,000 -and climbing- American lives and millions of livelihoods have been lost, she unveils new & NOT improved Rose Garden.
She cut down Jackie’s trees!
I hope @DrBiden returns it to the way it was. https://t.co/zHC8wb0WRc— Ana Navarro-Cárdenas (@ananavarro) August 23, 2020
The #Trump family did its best to turn the lovely Rose Garden into a neo-fascist parade ground. https://t.co/XTVvqnFzaX
— howardfineman (@howardfineman) August 22, 2020
The tearing out of the cherry trees upsets me. Do they assume this is THEIR house? Sad.
— Susan Kime (@susankime) August 22, 2020
The Trump’s are dark people. Everything is negative in their world. It’s reflected in the stark makeover of the gardens. I can’t wait for Dr. Biden to restore the beauty to the gardens. 🌸🌼🌺
— Barbara Simmons (@Barbara_S1919) August 23, 2020
But the complaints seemed outsized, petty, and, in some cases, unhinged since the upgrades the first lady made included improvements that would allow more Americans to enjoy the space.
And in that vein, there was plenty of support for the first lady as well pushback against the first couple’s haters.
Conservative actor James Woods pointed out the improved access in response to NBC News journalist Howard Fineman, who complained that the first lady turned the Rose Garden into “a neo-fascist parade ground.”
“It’s based on plans created by our then First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy, and her advisors back in the early 1960’s. The limestone pathways were added by Melania Trump, our current First Lady, as a sorely needed update to accommodate Americans with disabilities. You’re an imbecile,” Woods wrote.
It’s based on plans created by our then First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy, and her advisors back in the early 1960’s. The limestone pathways were added by Melania Trump, our current First Lady, as a sorely needed update to accommodate Americans with disabilities. You’re an imbecile. https://t.co/mldYVibxB0
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) August 24, 2020
Others lent their voices of support as well, praising both the design and noting that complaints from people like CNN’s Ana Navarro are uninformed and based purely on dislike of the first couple, regardless of what they do.
Upper Kennedy Rose Garden Lower Trump Rose Garden But let’s freak out. pic.twitter.com/ihctTHu4nN
— Dan Donovan🌺 (@Dan_Donovan_17) August 24, 2020
All you have to wait for is spring, honey… that’s when flowers bloom… it’s science. I thought you on that side knew all about science??
— Matt Nichols (@MattNic18861823) August 23, 2020
Cherry blossom was replanted around the side. Try not to let it affect you. It’s not your house. It is her home for now and the peoples house and its beautiful and very thoughtful. So just relax
— OldskoolRALL (@OldskoolR) August 24, 2020
Removal of those trees reveal the beauty of the architecture that was obscured.
The real tragedy is that First lady Melania Trump isn’t featured on every Fashion Mag in this country, she’s beautiful, very fashionable and glows. It’s a shame.— Ethically Harvested Gold Baby! (@SiscoJames) August 24, 2020
— Lyndsey Fox (@lyndsey_fox3) August 23, 2020
🤦🏻♀️ Good Grief…you people.
— Kath Mann 🇺🇸 (@KathMann1313) August 23, 2020
In her statement, the first lady thanked those who helped her with the project, which — according to her office — was paid for using private donations, not taxpayer dollars.
Facts about newly renovated @WhiteHouse Rose Garden:
🌹@FLOTUS consulted historians, horticulturists & architects
🌹Done in spirit of 1962 design
🌹ADA compliant
🌹Crabapple trees to be replanted on WH grounds
🌹Ensured healthier growing environment
🌹Paid for w private donations— Stephanie Grisham 45 Archived (@StephGrisham45) August 23, 2020
“Gardens are symbols of growth and hope. We celebrate this garden in the hope that future generations will not only enjoy – but also draw inspiration and strength – from this space where so much of our history has been shared,” she said.
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