More golden ornaments added to Oval Office, reminiscent of Liberace, as Trump compares
In the heart of the White House, the Oval Office has undergone a significant transformation since President Donald Trump took office in January 2025. A bold redesign, reminiscent of Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate, has seen the addition of lavish gold leaf accents, creating an ornate and gilded style.
This change has not gone unnoticed, with the Oval Office now adorned with golden flourishes and cherubs, mirroring the opulence of the Florida resort. The transformation, however, has sparked controversy, as it coincides with a $200 million construction project to build a new grand ballroom on the White House grounds.
The ballroom, scheduled to replace the East Wing, is set to be approximately 90,000 square feet, far larger than any existing formal space in the White House. The project, led by McCrery Architects and Clark Construction, has been met with a mix of reactions given its grandeur and expense.
The White House administration, under Trump’s leadership, has described the project as a "much-needed and exquisite addition" that honours the building’s historic architecture. Trump has emphasized his building expertise and commitment to completing the ballroom quickly and on time. White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has highlighted the preservation of White House history alongside new construction.
The gold additions to the Oval Office, however, have been a focus of criticism. Many view the extravagant decorations as a misuse of resources during a time of budget cuts, with essential services such as Medicaid, veterans' benefits, and education facing reductions. The contrast between the gold adornments and the potential cuts has led to the Oval Office being labelled a 'total disgrace' and 'pathetic priorities.'
Journalist Acyn Torabi has described the transformation of the Oval Office as gradual and unmistakable, with more and more gold appearing since January. ABC's This Week shared a video showing an almost monthly breakdown of the additions to the Oval Office, from golden urns on the mantle in February to the recent appearance of gold trim and adornments on the walls.
As the construction of the grand ballroom progresses and the Oval Office continues to be adorned with gold, the debate surrounding the use of resources and the prioritization of aesthetics versus essential services remains a topic of discussion. The Oval Office, a place that Trump is supposed to leave in three years, stands as a symbol of perceived priorities, with critics questioning whether the gold decorations are a reflection of the administration's values.
[1] White House Announces $200 Million Ballroom Construction Project. (2025, July 1). The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/us/politics/white-house-ballroom-construction.html
[2] Trump's Gold Oval Office: A Symbol of Controversy. (2025, September 1). The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trumps-gold-oval-office-a-symbol-of-controversy/2025/09/01/8e58e647-b29a-49e0-83e3-e826710e944f_story.html
[3] Inside the White House Ballroom Construction Project. (2025, October 1). CNN. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/01/politics/white-house-ballroom-construction-project/index.html
- Despite the ongoing debate about the grand ballroom construction project at the White House, the addition of gold decorations to the Oval Office has become a centerpoint of pop-culture discussions and entertainment, with many celebrities expressing their opinions on the matter through various news outlets.
- As the White House grapples with budget cuts in essential services, the latest pop-culture fodder seems to revolve around the entertainment value of the Oval Office's gold makeover, adding controversy to the already heated narrative provided by celebrities and the media, keeping the pulse of the nation firmly embedded in the realm of pop-culture and entertainment.
