Trump Praises New Rose Garden Statues as U.S. Strikes Iran

President ignores questions about casualties from military operation as he admires garden decor changes.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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While returning to the White House on Sunday, President Donald Trump praised the addition of two new statues to the Rose Garden, but refused to answer questions from reporters about the U.S. military strikes against Iran that resulted in the death of the Iranian Supreme Leader and several other senior officials, as well as the deaths of three American servicemembers.

Why it matters

The president's focus on the Rose Garden decor rather than addressing the serious implications of the military action against Iran raises concerns about his priorities and ability to lead during a time of heightened international tensions and potential conflict.

The details

The two new statues, which appear to depict Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, were not present when the president left for Texas on Friday. After disembarking from Marine One, Trump acknowledged the new additions to the Rose Garden but declined to provide any updates or answer questions about the U.S. strikes on Iran, which resulted in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several other senior officials. The president also noted that three American servicemembers had been killed and five others seriously wounded since the start of 'Operation Epic Fury', stating that 'there will likely be more' casualties.

  • On Friday, the two new statues were not yet in the Rose Garden when the president left for Texas.
  • On Sunday night, the president returned to the White House and praised the new statues in the Rose Garden.
  • On Saturday, the U.S. conducted airstrikes against Iran that resulted in the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior Iranian officials.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who praised the new Rose Garden statues while ignoring questions about the U.S. military strikes against Iran.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

The Supreme Leader of Iran who was killed in the U.S. airstrikes on Saturday.

Liz Landers

A PBS White House correspondent who reported that the new statues were not present in the Rose Garden when the president left on Friday.

Kristen Holmes

A CNN senior White House correspondent who reported that the president praised the new statues but did not answer questions about the Iran strikes or American casualties.

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What they’re saying

“He did have some positive praise, and I don't want to quote exactly, because I don't have it written down what he said, but he praised the statue in the garden, and then he left.”

— Kristen Holmes, CNN senior White House correspondent (CNN)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The president's focus on the Rose Garden decor rather than addressing the serious implications of the military action against Iran raises concerns about his priorities and ability to lead during a time of heightened international tensions and potential conflict.