President Donald Trump on Saturday criticized a subcontractor after security footage showed workers damaging newly installed limestone in the renovated White House Rose Garden.
Trump said the incident left a “huge gash” stretching more than 25 yards across the stone surface, which he called “the most beautiful marble and stone available anywhere.”
“Deep and Nasty” Damage
“Surfaces are very important to me as a Builder,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “As everyone knows, I built many GREAT Buildings, and other things, over the years. … [The limestone crack] was deep and nasty! I started yelling, ‘Who did this, and I want to find out now!’—and I didn’t say this in a nice manner.”
Trump said he initially questioned whether the damage was caused by “vandalism or stupidity” before White House security cameras identified the cause.
Security Footage Released
In the video shared by Trump, two workers are seen pushing a yellow steel cart carrying a shrub across the limestone. The cart appeared broken and tilted, dragging hard against the stone surface. At least two other men stood by watching.
“They brought back the stupid people, with their boss watching (in sunglasses!),” Trump wrote.
Stone Will Be Replaced
While emphasizing his “love and respect” for contractors and workers, Trump said the damage was unacceptable.
“Now, I’ll replace the stone, charge the contractor, and never let that contractor work at the White House again—But, how great is the video equipment? We caught them, cold,” he wrote. “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
The president confirmed the damaged limestone will be replaced.
