The White House has undergone a gold-touched makeover since President Donald Trump retook office in January.
In the Oval Office, gold trophies line the mantelpiece alongside ornaments and gilded frames hanging above.
Other furnishings and decor on the walls have also been upgraded to match Trump’s new golden-era theme, said to be inspired by his Mar-a-Lago estate.
Highlights
- Trump’s Oval Office makeover features gold decor inspired by his Mar-a-Lago estate and includes trophies, gilded frames, and gold-touched furnishings.
- Several golden decorations resemble Home Depot polyurethane moldings priced under $60, suggesting a budget-friendly facelift despite claims of expense.
- Ekena Millwork, the molding supplier, hinted that Trump’s office could be outfitted with its designs, fueling social media jokes about the makeover’s affordability.
- Musician Jack White criticized the gold-themed makeover as ‘vulgar’ and likened it to a wrestler's dressing room, sparking a fierce public feud with the White House.
Donald Trump redecorated the Oval Office in gold, inspired by his Mar-a-Lago estate
Image credits: The White House
But it appears the makeover may not be what it seems.
Eagle-eyed social media users have compared several of Trump’s golden decorations to moldings sold at Home Depot for as little as $60.
Two of Trump’s medallions bear a striking resemblance to Ekena Millwork’s polyurethane applique and onlay molding, which retails at $58.07.
The applique is sold in white, which means it would need to have been spray-painted gold if it is indeed the same as the ones in Trump’s office.
Image credits: Home Depot/The White House
Instagram account Diet Prada shared a comparison of Trump’s decor to that sold at Home Depot, writing: “It’s giving Design on a Dime.”
Social media users echoed her sentiment, with one describing Trump’s makeover of the White House as “Temu trailer park.”
Trump previously said that the gold in the Oval Office cost “a lot of money.”
“There’s nothing like gold and there’s nothing like solid gold. This beautiful office needed it,” he said.
Image credits: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
A further onlay that appears to have been recently added to the mantelpiece is similar to a different Ekena Millwork onlay, sold at Home Depot for $30.79.
The company has suggested that Trump’s office could indeed be kitted out with its designs.
“We work with several design firms in DC that have worked on the White House and believe these could be our onlays,” Ekena Millwork told BuzzFeed.
It is not the first time his administration has faced criticism over the new decor.
There are several Home Depot products similar to those in the Oval Office
Earlier this month, the White House was engaged in a heated spat with Grammy-winning musician Jack White after he described the makeover as “vulgar” and “gaudy.”
White, the former frontman of the White Stripes, posted on Instagram, criticizing the new gold touches as he shared a photo of Trump with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“Look at how disgusting Trump has transformed the historic White House. It's now a vulgar, gold leafed and gaudy, professional wrestler's dressing room,” White posted.
“Can't wait for the UFC match on the front lawn too, he's almost fully achieved the movie ‘Idiocracy’. Look at his disgusting taste, would you even buy a used car from this conman, let alone give him the nuclear codes?
“A gold plated trump bible would look perfect up on that mantle with a pair of trump shoes on either side wouldn't it? What an embarrassment to American history. Also pictured in this photograph, a REAL leader of a nation in a black suit.”
The White House wasted no time in responding, with Communications Director Steven Cheung releasing a statement to several media outlets.
Image credits: X
“Jack White is a washed up, has-been loser posting drivel on social media because he clearly has ample time on his hands due to his stalled career,” Cheung said.
“It’s apparent he’s been masquerading as a real artist, because he fails to appreciate, and quite frankly disrespects, the splendor and significance of the Oval Office inside of ‘The People’s House.’”
The feud escalated even further when, in response to Cheung’s comments, White penned an 850-word statement slamming the Trump administration.
Jack White traded blows with the White House
He said Trump was “masquerading as a human” and described him as being a close personal friend of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“How petty and pathetic and thin-skinned could this administration get?” he added.
Earlier this month, Trump also announced plans to upgrade the East Wing with a $200 million ballroom.
Those plans, based on the ballroom at the Mar-a-Lago estate, will be funded by Trump and other unnamed donors.
They received significant backlash as Americans struggle to afford essentials due to rising living costs and economic uncertainty.