President Donald Trump has added another sculpture to his growing collection in the Rose Garden, installing a life-size bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson last week as part of what the White House describes as an effort to honor the nation’s 250th anniversary.
According to The Washington Post, the sculpture was created by artist George Lundeen, who said Trump personally called him last month to express his appreciation. In an audio clip shared with the outlet, the president could be heard telling the sculptor, “I just wanted to thank you. The sculpture looks really beautiful.”
The Jefferson statue marks the fifth sculpture Trump has placed in the Rose Garden. Four others already stand in the historic space: depictions of George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, and a work honoring Revolutionary War soldiers.
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Three of the sculptures were loaned to the White House by Harlan Crow, a billionaire conservative activist, according to his spokesperson. However, the White House has declined to publicly name Crow or other lenders, instead describing the statues as coming from “generous private American patriots.”
In a statement to The Washington Post, a Trump spokesperson said the president is working “to beautify and honor our Nation’s Capital during America’s historic 250th anniversary celebrations.”
Sweeping Changes to Historic Space
The Rose Garden, which dates back to the Kennedy administration, has undergone substantial transformation under Trump’s direction. The changes began during his first term and have continued since he returned to office.
Last summer, Trump made one of the most dramatic alterations to the space by removing the lawn and installing a patio in its place. In September, he hosted an event there featuring tables, chairs, and yellow striped umbrellas, dubbing the reconfigured area “The Rose Garden Club.”
The ongoing modifications represent some of the most significant changes to the Rose Garden in decades, reshaping a space that has served as the backdrop for countless presidential addresses, ceremonies, and events throughout its history.
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