In just seven months of his second term, Donald Trump has transformed the Oval Office with an extravagant gold-themed makeover, drawing on his background as a real estate developer. The renovations include gold trim on ceilings, door frames, and the fireplace, as well as gold-painted cherubim inside door frames. Gold trophies, vases, and coasters bearing Trump's name now adorn the room.
Trump personally paid for the gold, which a White House spokesperson described as 'of the highest quality.' The president enlisted John Icart, a 70-year-old cabinet maker from Florida, to add flourishes similar to those at Mar-a-Lago. Icart was flown to Washington on Air Force One for the project.
The office now features nearly 20 paintings of former presidents, up from six under Joe Biden and two under Barack Obama. Other additions include Trump family photos, a copy of the Declaration of Independence, and the FIFA Club World Cup trophy. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called it a 'golden office for the golden age.'
Critics have been less impressed. Musician Jack White compared the room to a wrestler's dressing room, calling it 'vulgar' and 'gaudy.' Reporter Jon Keegan noted that decorative medallions on the walls resemble cheap 'Foam Veneer Accessories' from Ali Baba. However, some gold artifacts are from the White House collection, including a 19th-century French compotier and gilded urns from President James Monroe's era.
Trump's style is reportedly inspired by the Versailles Hall of Mirrors, and he has previously boasted that his Florida ballroom is modeled on the French palace. The changes continue a tradition of presidents personalizing the Oval Office, but Trump's gold-heavy approach is unprecedented in its extravagance.
