What Happened to the Tree Trump Planted?

In 2018, former U.S. President Donald Trump participated in a tree-planting ceremony on the White House South Lawn, to commemorate Earth Day. The event was live-streamed, and the video of Trump planting a sapling went viral online. However, since then, there has been little news about the tree or its fate. So what happened to the tree Trump planted?

A Short-Lived Symbol

The tree that Trump planted was a European sessile oak, a species native to the United Kingdom. It was a gift from French President Emmanuel Macron, as a symbol of strong diplomatic ties between France and the U.S. However, within days of the event, the oak sapling disappeared from its original location on the South Lawn. It turned out that the tree had been removed by the White House grounds crew, as it had not yet completed the quarantine period required for foreign plant imports.

Unconfirmed Reports of Death

After the oak sapling was relocated for quarantine, there were conflicting reports on its condition. Some news outlets reported that the tree had died in quarantine, possibly due to over-watering or fungal disease. However, no official statement was made to confirm or deny these reports. Others speculated that the tree had been secretly replanted elsewhere on the White House grounds, due to concerns about its survival in the original location.

A Mystery That Continues

The fate of the tree Trump planted remains a mystery. While some have joked that the tree's disappearance is a metaphor for Trump's short-lived political legacy, there is still curiosity about what really happened to the oak sapling. A spokesperson for the French president's office stated that they had no information regarding the tree's whereabouts or condition. Meanwhile, the former White House Chief of Staff, John Kelly, has claimed that he and other staff members searched unsuccessfully for the tree after it was removed from the South Lawn.

In conclusion, it is still unclear what happened to the oak sapling that was gifted to former President Trump by President Macron of France. Despite conflicting reports and speculation, there has been no official confirmation or denial of the alleged death or relocation of the tree. Perhaps one day, the truth about the tree's fate will be revealed, but for now, it remains a mystery.