Recent footage of the Oval Office, shared by White House deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino, has drawn sharp criticism due to the extensive use of gold decor. The video reveals a significantly updated interior with golden accents reportedly added to nearly every surface.
According to reporting from New York Times journalists Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan in their book “Regime Change,” President Donald Trump took a personal role in some of the office's aesthetic updates. The book details instances where Trump allegedly used superglue to attach golden embellishments to the Oval Office fireplace mantel himself, preferring his own touch over the work of others.
Gold and other decorative elements have reportedly been added throughout the White House complex during Trump's tenure. This includes changes to the exterior grounds, such as the paving over of the Rose Garden to create an area described as similar to his Mar-a-Lago patio. Additionally, the East Wing was renovated last year to include a large ballroom, a project Trump had publicly expressed significant interest in.
The latest footage of the redecorated Oval Office prompted a wave of negative commentary on social media platforms, with critics expressing disapproval of the opulent design.