White House Or Gold House? Trump Is Redecorating

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC — President Donald Trump’s affinity for gold has long had a penchant for gold. Now, it appears he’s bringing that signature gleam to the White House, transforming parts of the residence to reflect the gilded nature of his Mar-a-Lago estate.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump has enlisted the help of cabinetmaker John Icart, a man dubbed the president’s “gold guy,” to add custom gold finishes to the Oval Office. Icart, who previously worked on similar projects at Mar-a-Lago, traveled with Trump on Air Force One to personally oversee the installation of gilded carvings on the office’s fireplace mantel and new gold molding around the room’s iconic features.

The gilding doesn’t stop there. According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump has introduced additional golden accents in the Oval Office, including gold cherubs brought from Mar-a-Lago and a large gold FIFA World Cup trophy now prominently displayed next to the Resolute Desk. Most other presidents have had plants, mementoes that indicate what influences them, and pictures of their families.

To make changes on the state floor the permission of the White House curator is required, who treats the White House like a museum – after all it doesn’t belong to any one President. The White House curator was consulted on the redecorations, WSJ said. Even Trump’s private dining room, located near the Oval Office, has been outfitted with gold coasters bearing his name, as reported by WSJ.

This love for gold isn’t new to the president. As the Wall Street Journal noted, Trump’s lavish lifestyle has always included golden accents, particularly in his Manhattan penthouse. In a recent interview with Fox News, he explained his preference for real gold over imitation, saying, “People have tried to come up with a gold paint that would look like gold, and they have never been able to do it. That’s why it’s gold,” he remarked.

Trump’s penchant for gold extends even to his official portraits. The Wall Street Journal shared that last month, the White House requested that Trump’s portrait be printed with a metallic gold border, a move that required specialized printing and caused delays in the process. Vice President JD Vance’s portrait was also requested to be adorned with a similar golden border.

International leaders have also taken note of Trump’s golden obsession. As WSJ reported, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gifted the president a gold pager, while Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba presented him with a gold samurai helmet. The former is said to have marveled at Trump’s joy at seeing the golden pager.

Beyond the gilded decor, Trump has also proposed other ambitious changes to the White House. According to WSJ, he has suggested building a ballroom for hosting official events and parties.

All the gold in the “people’s  house” is raising eyebrows as being crass.

Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff—and real estate guy—managed to stun French diplomats, the Daily Beast reported, by comparing the Élysée Palace, the historic seat of the French presidency, to Trump’s Florida clubhouse, Mar-a-Lago.

And therein lies the answer: grandeur, royalty, authority. Trump has always been drawn to it.