The White House Rose Garden, known for its manicured lawns and seasonal flowers, now features a growing collection of bronze statues after President Donald Trump replaced its grass with a white stone patio resembling one at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
Five sculptures stand in the garden just outside the Oval Office. They include depictions of Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Benjamin Franklin. A fifth sculpture named “Freedom’s Charge” is also on the patio.
Statues arrive as gifts and loans
The most recent addition—a seated Jefferson signing the Declaration of Independence—was a gift from Colorado sculptor George Lundeen. He created the piece decades ago but refurbished it for display ahead of the nation’s 250th birthday celebrations in July.
Lundeen said the statue was meant to remind visitors of Jefferson’s role in drafting the founding document. “I thought it would be fitting for people to see Thomas Jefferson as he was writing the Declaration of Independence,” he said in a phone interview.
The statue arrived late, delayed by security around the holiday events. Trump saw photos and decided to place it in the Rose Garden. When he called to thank Lundeen, he left a voicemail: “Hi, George. It’s your favorite president, Donald Trump, and I just wanted to thank you. The sculpture looks really beautiful … just by the picture I can see it’s really incredible, and we have a wonderful place right in the Rose Garden, and I appreciate it.”
Related: The Most Common Errors to Avoid After an Injury
The Washington sculpture was loaned by Texas real estate developer Harlan Crow, a major Republican donor whose ties to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas have drawn attention. Crow’s representatives did not respond to requests for comment.
Franklin and Hamilton statues were donated anonymously, according to the White House. “Freedom’s Charge”, a 14-foot bronze piece, was relocated from Dallas, though its sculptor, Chas Fagan, did not respond to inquiries.
A broader vision for White House renovations
These additions are part of Trump’s larger effort to reshape the White House’s appearance. His changes include a gilded Oval Office makeover, a new ballroom, and a helipad on the south grounds. A spokesperson called the updates “long-overdue,” framing them as part of an effort to restore federal landmarks.
Trump’s interest in statues extends beyond the Rose Garden. The White House has discussed plans for a proposed National Garden of American Heroes near the National Mall, which would feature sculptures of historical figures. The plan has faced legal challenges from preservation groups, which argue Congress must authorize it. Lundeen and his collaborator, Steven Barber, said they hope to contribute to the garden.
The White House has long displayed art, including Gilbert Stuart’s famous portrait of Washington saved by Dolly Madison during the War of 1812. Trump’s approach differs in its speed and scale. He said he selected pieces from the White House’s “vaults,” including presidential portraits now hung in the Oval Office and other public rooms.
Related: The Mystery of Light Refraction: How Gemstones Create Dazzling Colours
Earlier administrations also made changes. Melania Trump installed a sculpture by Isamu Noguchi, the first Asian American artist featured in the White House collection. Michelle Obama added a painting by Alma Thomas, the first African American woman in the collection, during her 2015 renovation of the Old Family Dining Room.
Trump’s focus on statues, particularly of Founding Fathers, marks a clear shift. While past presidents emphasized diversity in their art selections, his choices highlight traditional depictions of American history. The Rose Garden, once a space for diplomacy and seasonal flowers, now serves as an outdoor gallery of his view of the nation’s past.
The White House did not respond when asked how long the statues will remain or whether future administrations might remove them. For now, they stand as a lasting—though debated—addition to one of the country’s most recognizable gardens.
Repairs to public landmarks often spark legal disputes, as seen in recent court battles over repair restrictions.