A claim on Twitter that first lady Melania Trump’s renovation of the White House Rose Garden spells out “KKK” in decorative hedges has gone viral.
“Oh look at Melania’s renovated rose garden at the White House. Does anyone else see how the small bushes spell KKK in rows?” one Twitter user wrote, prompting thousands of likes and responses.
Oh look at Melania’s renovated rose garden at the White House. Does anyone else see how the small bushes spell KKK in rows? pic.twitter.com/dAIA4LF4OG
— Stone (@stonecold2050) August 22, 2020
Author and YouTube personality Mark Dice responded, “He’s not being sarcastic. The Left really are this insane!”
He’s not being sarcastic. The Left really are this insane! ? https://t.co/Rz5AL0Qm50
— Mark Dice (@MarkDice) August 23, 2020
Trump revealed the renovations to the iconic garden this weekend after she announced plans to redecorate in July.
“Excited to honor history & celebrate the future in our beautiful @WhiteHouse Rose Garden this evening. Thank you to all who helped renew this iconic & truly gorgeous space,” the first lady tweeted Saturday, accompanied by photos of the garden.
Excited to honor history & celebrate the future in our beautiful @WhiteHouse Rose Garden this evening. Thank you to all who helped renew this iconic & truly gorgeous space. pic.twitter.com/ggiqLkdGbw
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) August 22, 2020
Medium published a story on the claims Sunday morning in a piece titled “No, the Redesigned White House Rose Garden Doesn’t Spell Out KKK.”
“The new design includes a diamond-shaped border planted in clipped boxwood shrubs. In garden design, this is about as basic as you get. You see it in all kinds of classic gardens in Europe as well as here in America,” author Claire Splan wrote.
“I am the last person who would want to defend either Donald or Melania Trump or the Trump administration, from accusations related to their racism,” she continued.
Splan then urged those on Twitter to not “create crazy conspiracy theories” about the renovations.
“They are racists, I have no doubt. None. But there’s no need to create crazy conspiracy theories around that,” she said.
“Let’s get a grip, people. There’s plenty to be outraged about. That doesn’t mean you need to see subliminal white nationalist messages in a simple hedge,” Splan concluded.
President John F. Kennedy’s wife, Jacqueline Kennedy, was the last to update the garden. Melania Trump said “JFK” and pale pink “peace” roses would be included in her renovation of the Kennedy design.
