Overview
- Wednesday’s event marks continued use of the stone-paved space for select White House dinners with senior officials.
- The patio project cost about $2 million and was paid for by the Trust for the National Mall, according to reporting.
- The redesign replaced the lawn with white stone pavers, Mar-a-Lago–style umbrellas and a new speaker system, and the White House says the president plans to entertain there frequently.
- Invitations so far have gone largely to political allies, business executives and administration officials, reflecting a tightly curated guest list.
- Recent changes linked to the broader makeover include a reported Presidential Walk of Fame along the West Wing and an East Wing ballroom project estimated at $250 million, with CBS reporting about $200 million raised.