Donald Trump is cutting down a historic White House tree after deeming it "a very dangerous safety hazard."
Trump, who is already 'very angry' with Vladimir Putin and has sparked health fears over his recent appearance, has announced that one of the historic magnolias planted by President Andrew Jackson nearly 200 years ago will be removed, which comes amid controversial plans for the Jackie Kennedy rose garden.
Seventh president Jackson brought the seeds from his home near Nashville, Tennesse back in 1829 to plant in memory of his late wife - and were depicted on the $20 bill. However, Trump has claimed "everything must come to an end", although he still alarmingly wants to run for a third term, as the tree is too damaged and decayed to stay there.
It extends from the ground floor, up past the front of the windows of the State Dining Room on the first floor and beyond the second-level executive residence.
Trump does want to preserve the wood from the tree so it can be "used for other high and noble purposes" - with many joking he wants a throne.
A commentator tweeted: "Trump’s chopping down Andrew Jackson’s magnolia next week because it’s a ‘safety risk’, guess a tree that old might steal his spotlight. The wood’s being saved for ‘high and noble purposes.’ What’s that, a custom Twitter throne?"
Announcing the news on Truth Social on Sunday afternoon, Trump wrote: "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!
"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. That’s the good news!
"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.
"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!!!"
Jackson's magnolia underwent substantial pruning with removing of branches back in December 2017.
Initial plans to take down the tree were made by Melania Trump, who assessed all of the professional information and accompanying historical documents.
Part of the documents read: "The overall architecture and structure of the tree is greatly compromised and the tree is completely dependent on the artificial support. Without the extensive cabling system, the tree would have fallen years ago. Presently, and very concerning, the cabling system is failing on the east trunk, as a cable has pulled through the very thin layer of wood that remains. It is difficult to predict when and how many more will fail."
They were designated as Witness Trees by the National Park Service in 2016, having been witness to many "significant historic and cultural events."
One incredible event they witnessed was the Cessna airplane crash which targeted the White House in September 1994 - with the base of the trees taking the brunt of the impact.
Michelle Obama took a seedling from the tree to the United States Department of Agriculture in 2009 it could grow at the USDA's community garden.
