Comparisons have been drawn between Donald Trump’s history with bankrupt casinos and the recent changes to the White House Rose Garden.
Before his political career, Trump was known for his ventures in real estate. He launched Trump Plaza, a hotel and casino in Atlantic City, in 1984, followed by Trump’s Castle in 1985, and then the Trump Taj Mahal Casino in 1990.
Despite these ambitious projects, Trump Entertainment Resorts faced financial difficulties, filing for bankruptcy three times from 2004 to 2014. By 2016, most of its casinos had closed.
Trump distanced himself from many of these properties, leaving some to be taken over by other companies, while others were left abandoned on the Atlantic City boardwalk.
The Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino was demolished in 2021, an event celebrated by locals who saw the removal as a significant moment for the city.
As the 47th president, Trump initiated several changes at the White House, including a plan to expand the East Wing with a $200 million ballroom.
A notable transformation was the renovation of the White House Rose Garden, adjacent to the Oval Office and West Wing.
The garden’s history dates back to 1902, when President Theodore Roosevelt and First Lady Edith Roosevelt established it as a colonial garden.
It was named by First Lady Ellen Louise Axson Wilson, and redesigned by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935.
In 1961, John F. Kennedy revamped the Rose Garden, adding a central lawn and French-style flower beds.
This design largely remained unchanged until the Trumps occupied the White House in 2020.
First Lady Melania Trump oversaw a garden renovation, including a new limestone path.
Many criticized the new design as “sterile” and “bland”, as reported by Vogue, while historian Michael Beschloss called it an “evisceration” of history.
Recently, Trump replaced the garden’s grass with a paved patio, further sparking criticism.
After unveiling the redesign, many noted the once green space now appeared much greyer.
“Trump turned Jackie Kennedy’s Rose Garden into a parking lot. Sad day for history and nature,” one critic tweeted.
Others described it as resembling a “tombstone” for the U.S. economy and compared it to a “concrete jungle.”
Another quipped, “I’m beginning to figure out how [Trump] bankrupted several casinos.”
Comedian Robin Williams had previously made a similar observation about Trump’s real estate endeavors, commenting on Atlantic City as a surreal experience and describing Trump as a man who “plays monopoly with real f**king buildings.”
Despite the criticism, White House officials defended the garden changes, emphasizing a respect for the historical significance of the White House and the Rose Garden.