President Donald Trump unveiled his latest White House renovation, the "Rose Garden Club," to Washington's political elite on a serene Friday evening. The exclusive social event, attended by prominent Republican lawmakers and allies, took place on the newly paved patio space, offering a variety of dining options from salads to a decadent seven-layer cake. The 79-year-old president described the gathering as a meeting of "people that can bring peace and success to our country."
This event, which was rescheduled from the previous day due to inclement weather, also featured technology executives, including Bill Gates and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, shifting their dinner from the Rose Garden to the State Dining Room. The evening's success was echoed by Republican attendees like Speaker Mike Johnson and Reps. Beth Van Duyne and Ronny Jackson, who publicly expressed gratitude for an "epic" night.
However, the celebration was not without its detractors. Governor Gavin Newsom of California, a vocal critic of Trump, lambasted the event on Twitter, mocking the attendees for "cheersing Diet Cokes" while the nation grapples with economic challenges. Newsom's fiery rhetoric escalated as he dubbed the venue the "Predator Patio," linking it to the controversial Jeffrey Epstein list and directly attacking Mike Johnson, suggesting a disconnect from the struggles faced by Americans.
The Daily Mail reported that the renovated space now sports a more patio-style design, complete with umbrellas imported from Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort. Despite some controversy over paving over green space, the president defended the modification as a practical solution to previously muddy conditions that had damaged footwear.
Critics and supporters of Trump took to social media to voice their opinions on the renovation. While some criticized the event's timing and aesthetic, others praised the functional improvement of the Rose Garden and the administration's achievements. Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne and Congressman John Rode were among those who took to Twitter to applaud the beautiful setting and reiterate their commitment to advancing the Republican agenda of reducing costs and limiting federal government.
The dichotomy of reactions underscores the polarized political climate, with the Rose Garden Club's debut serving as a new flashpoint for partisan commentary and social media sparring.
