The Trump White House reportedly boasts more gold decor than the Federal Reserve’s vault. Back in office, Donald Trump has revamped the presidential residence in his own ostentatious style, covering nearly every surface with gold frames, ornaments, and fixtures. Critics say the gilded overhaul mirrors rising inequality in a divided America.
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Gold Everywhere You Look
Donald Trump’s return to the White House has come with a lavish redesign. Every corner gleams with gold, from thickly framed paintings and crown moldings to vases, urns, and tchotchkes. Even a New York Post cover featuring Trump’s mug shot has been framed in gold. Critics have described the decor as excessive and gaudy.
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‘Golden Office’ Claims
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt defended the redesign to The Wall Street Journal, saying, “It’s the Golden Office for the Golden Age.” But to many, it’s a symbol of extreme wealth concentration in an era of deepening political division and social inequality.
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Versailles in Washington
One photo editor and creative consultant called the makeover a “gilded rococo hellscape” in The New York Times. While Trump positions himself as a champion of the American people, his White House now resembles a gilded palace. Even Elon Musk reportedly received a polished golden key during a farewell event, though no reports of gold toilets have surfaced yet.
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Wealth Buys Access
Amid this spectacle, Trump’s administration introduced a $5 million Trump Gold Card visa, offering wealthy foreigners easier entry into the U.S., while the less affluent face tighter immigration controls. As elites toast in private clubs, ordinary citizens endure worsening inequality.
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Old Habits Return
Trump’s obsession with gold isn’t new. His apartments and hotels have long been symbols of flashy excess, his name often emblazoned in giant gold letters. He famously launched his presidential bid by descending a gold escalator a decade ago.
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Economic Chaos Deepens
While gold trims the Oval Office, Trump’s erratic economic moves continue to shake markets. He’s repeatedly shifted tariffs and policies, leaving investors and businesses reeling. Wall Street insiders mockingly dubbed the pattern TACO, short for “Trump Always Chickens Out.”
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Profiting While Governing
Trump has simultaneously launched a crypto venture, secured a $2 billion investment from an Emirati firm, and accepted a luxury jet from Qatar. Unlike past presidents, he’s refused to place his assets in a blind trust and reportedly pressured elite law firms to work for him without charge. As services for Americans are cut, Trump expands his personal fortune and adorns the White House with gold.
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