Donald Trump’s latest White House makeover has drawn widespread backlash after a new gold cursive “Oval Office” sign appeared beside the presidential office door. Critics accused the president of flaunting opulence while millions of Americans face hardship during the record-long government shutdown that has already cut food assistance benefits in half.
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White House Gilded Again
Images of the new sign began circulating online this week, showing gold cursive lettering affixed outside the Oval Office. The change comes as Trump continues his extravagant remodelling of the White House, which has included the demolition of the East Wing and the construction of a $300 million ballroom. Lawmakers and social media users quickly condemned what they described as a tone-deaf display of excess during a national crisis.
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Anger Over Shutdown Priorities
The timing of the new decoration has fueled criticism, as the ongoing shutdown threatens the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which will distribute only half of its usual benefits this month. Millions of families who rely on federal food aid face uncertainty while the president focuses on aesthetic changes to the executive mansion. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware said pointedly, “I wish they would focus on helping struggling Americans, but this isn’t a good sign.”
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Lawmakers Mock Trump’s Décor
Public officials expressed frustration and ridicule online. “A: This sign looks like shit,” wrote Pennsylvania congressman Malcolm Kenyatta on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “B: 43 million Americans don’t have access to SNAP and are weeks away from health care costs exploding even more.” His blunt comments captured the anger of many critics who see Trump’s gold embellishments as a symbol of misplaced priorities amid economic strain.
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Outrage Over Costly Renovations
Last month, Trump’s decision to demolish the East Wing and replace it with a lavish ballroom reignited debate over presidential spending. The $300 million project has been widely condemned for its timing, coming during what is now the longest government shutdown in US history. A joint Washington Post, ABC News, and Ipsos poll revealed that more than half of Americans disapprove of the renovations, calling them extravagant and unnecessary.
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Political Reactions Across States
Florida congressman Jared Moskowitz responded to the latest controversy with biting humor, saying, “Good, new signage means he won’t knock it down.” His jab referenced Trump’s penchant for dramatic structural changes to the White House. Meanwhile, Democrats and advocacy groups continued to highlight the growing toll of the shutdown on vulnerable communities, warning that federal assistance programs were nearing collapse.
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California Takes a Dig
In California, Governor Gavin Newsom’s office seized the moment to mock Trump’s design choices. After celebrating the successful passage of Proposition 50, which Newsom said was key to defending democracy, his communications team posted a doctored image of the Oval Office sign online. It replaced the original inscription with the words “Live, laugh, LOSE,” a viral jab that quickly spread across social media.
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Public Divided Over Symbolism
While Trump’s supporters have praised his emphasis on grandeur and symbolism, opponents see the gold signage as proof of the administration’s detachment from the economic realities facing millions of Americans. The White House has not commented on the backlash, but the image of a gilded Oval Office emerging amid a nationwide funding crisis continues to fuel debate over leadership, priorities, and perception in Washington.