President Trump has made the difficult decision to remove a historic tree from the White House.
The southern magnolia tree, planted by Andrew Jackson according to tradition, is in "terrible condition," posing a safety hazard, Trump said.
While the tree must unfortunately come down, Trump said he plans to preserve the wood "for other high and noble purposes!!!”
Legend has it that President Jackson brought the seeds for the tree from the Hermitage, his home in Nashville, Tennessee.
The seventh U.S. president is said to have planted the tree, which stands outside the South Portico, in honor of his late wife Rachel, who died months before Jackson became president.
Jackson was president from 1829 to 1837. According to the National Park Service, the first photographic evidence of Jackson's magnolias date them to the 1860s.
"Working together with a fantastic and very talented Executive Residence Staff, along with the wonderful people at the National Park Service, we are making tremendous enhancements to the White House, thereby preserving and protecting History,” Trump said in his post.
“One of the interesting dilemmas is a tree planted many years ago by the Legendary President and General, Andrew Jackson. It is a Southern Magnolia, that came from his home, The Hermitage, in Tennessee.”
"The bad news is that everything must come to an end, and this tree is in terrible condition, a very dangerous safety hazard, at the White House Entrance, no less, and must now be removed,” Trump added.
“This process will take place next week, and will be replaced by another, very beautiful tree. The Historic wood from the tree will be preserved by the White House Staff, and may be used for other high and noble purposes!!"
President Trump has made no secret of his admiration for Jackson, who, like Trump, was known for his forceful personality and anti-establishment politics.
During a visit to the Hermitage in 2017, Trump drew direct parallels between his MAGA movement and Jackson's populism.
"It was during the Revolution that Jackson first confronted and defied an arrogant elite," Trump said at the time. "Does that sound familiar to you? I wonder why they keep talking about Trump and Jackson, Jackson and Trump. Oh, I know the feeling, Andrew."
Lately, Trump has shown more of an interest in President William McKinley, who oversaw America's expansion into a world power at the 20th century, winning overseas territories for the U.S in the Spanish-American War.
Trump has credited McKinley's tariffs with unleashing American prosperity during that time, an achievement Trump hopes to recreate as he ramps up a new trade war.
