US President Donald Trump, who has never hesitated to embrace extravagance, recently shared a video on Truth Social showcasing his lavish gold transformation of the White House. However, while the opulence is striking, the timing of this display has sparked considerable criticism.
In his second term, the president has utilized the White House for personal renovations, which include alterations to the Rose Garden and the addition of a large ballroom. Notably, the 79-year-old has adorned the premises with gaudy gold items and decorations throughout.
He uploaded a silent video featuring numerous shiny ornaments arranged on a table, asserting that it showcased “some of the highest quality 24 Karat Gold used in the Oval Office and Cabinet Room of the White House.” He boasted that leaders are astonished by the quality and aesthetics, referring to it as the “best Oval Office ever.”
Trump released his gold video on Sunday, coinciding with reports of a tragic shooting at a Mormon church in Michigan, where a veteran took the lives of at least four individuals. Trump addressed the “horrendous shooting” around 1 pm, with his gold video appearing approximately at 4:30 pm.
Social media users criticized the inappropriate timing, with one individual questioning, “HOW is he posting THIS after what happened last night in NC, and today in Michigan?” Another user condemned Vice President JD Vance’s comment about the “entire administration monitoring things,” retorting, “Monitoring? No, Trump is busy bragging about his 24kt gold…”
During a March tour of the Oval Office, when asked about the new gold by a Fox News host, Trump remarked that he believed the room required “a little life.” He also acknowledged the difficulty of making gold paint resemble actual gold, as reported by The Guardian.
A spokesperson for the White House later informed Fox News that Trump financed all the “highest quality” gold decorations personally. Although some items were observed primed white, many suspect they were likely covered with gold paint or gold leaf.
