WATCH: Trump talks about White House renovation projects, Nicki Minaj at Rose Garden luncheon

By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-trump-talks-about-white-house-renovation-projects-nicki-minaj-at-rose-garden-luncheon Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: Trump talks about White House renovation projects, Nicki Minaj at Rose Garden luncheon Politics Jul 6, 2026 3:54 PM EDT President Donald Trump said Monday he's putting "a lot of love" back into the White House. Watch in the video player above. Trump reviewed several of his White House renovation projects at a lunch on the Rose Garden patio for his investment accounts that bear his name for children born during his second term. WATCH: Trump officially launches Trump Accounts for kids, ringing Wall Street opening bell He referenced work being done to the columns on the Pennsylvania Avenue entrance to the mansion and said he was having layers and layers of paint removed. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Trump also talked about the ballroom he's building and his decision to replace the lawn in the Rose Garden with patio stone. "We're putting a lot of love back into the White House," he said. Trump says Cruz only SCOTUS appointee who would get 100 Senate votes Calling Sen. Ted Cruz "a friend of mine," in the Oval Office earlier on Monday, Trump said the Texas Republican was the only potential Supreme Court nominee who could get unanimous approval for the post from the Senate. Trump talked at length about how the two were "great friends" before they duked it out for the GOP nomination during the 2016 presidential campaign, "but then it came together better than ever before." WATCH: Sen. Cruz thanks Trump for 'getting rid' of Folarin Balogun's World Cup red card Cruz has been laying the groundwork for a possible run at the presidency again, stumping for Republican candidates in early-voting states including South Carolina. Frequently floated by Trump for a post on the high court, Cruz has said he would decline it, preferring to stay in politics and policy. Rapper Nicki Minaj returns to White House for launch of Trump accounts Minaj got a shout-out from Trump as he spoke at a Rose Garden luncheon after an earlier event to highlight the accounts. The musical artist had joined Trump in January for an earlier announcement about the "Trump Accounts" for children born during his second term. WATCH: Trump, Bessent, Nicki Minaj and others speak at 'Trump accounts' launch event Trump said Monday that Minaj is "great" and "so respected." Minaj has described herself as Trump's "number one fan." Trump tells lunch guests they won't have to talk to each other while music plays Trump offered his playlist as he wrapped more than 40 minutes of remarks in Washington, D.C.'s heat that was held shortly after an earlier, lengthy press event in the Oval Office. "Should we put on a little music, yes?," he