Trump's White House makeover goes all-gold with £157m ballroom plan
Privately funded renovations include a gilded Oval Office, a new Rose Garden terrace, and a massive ballroom that critics say crowns a modernizing campaign with lavish flair.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is pursuing a sweeping redecorating of the White House, pushing a gold heavy aesthetic in the Oval Office and plans for a 90,000-square-foot ballroom on the South Lawn. Officials say the work includes replacing the Rose Garden lawn with a concrete terrace and will be paid for largely with private donations. The ballroom project is valued at about £157 million, and construction began this month, with donors already pledging nearly £150 million to cover the cost.
Inside the Oval Office, gilded trim and gold accents have proliferated. The room now features gold coasters, gilded mantel carvings, and mouldings around the walls and ceiling to match the gold curtains that remained from the previous administration. Some gold cherubs from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property were relocated to the space, and a large number of portraits have been placed in ornate gilded frames. A gold FIFA World Cup trophy sits on the Resolute Desk, and a Diet Coke button now sits in a gold-plated desktop box bearing the presidential seal. The project was led by Florida cabinetmaker John Icart, who previously worked on Mar-a-Lago, and staff describe him as Trump’s gold guy. Trump personally oversaw the enhancements, aiming to give the room a bold, Versailles-inspired look.
Beyond the Oval Office, the Rose Garden has been redesigned. The lawn has been torn up and replaced with a white marble patio and a concrete terrace that can accommodate outdoor seating for formal events. Umbrellas imported from Mar-a-Lago shade the outdoor tables. The transformation is privately funded, with an estimated £1.5 million cost covered by donations to the Trust for the National Mall. The Rose Garden Club on the new terrace is intended for official receptions and casual gatherings alike, supported by food from the White House kitchen and music selected by the president. The Associated Press described the revamped space as a new focal point in Washington.
On the South Lawn, construction is underway for a new 90,000-square-foot ballroom described by the White House as a much needed entertaining space. The interior is designed to be all white and gold, with soaring ceilings and chandeliers, and tables set with gold candlesticks and cutlery. Officials say the room will seat up to 900 people. Donors have pledged nearly £150 million toward the project, with the president and private supporters covering the remainder. The planning documents show gold leaf detailing on walls and other lavish touches that echo a lavish palace atmosphere in line with the broader aesthetic of the redesign.
Reaction to the renovations has been mixed. White House historians note that presidents historically have broad latitude to modify the residence, provided costs are privately funded. Critics have framed the project as tacky and excessive, arguing it undercuts the building’s historic aura. A Washington Post columnist questioned whether the Oval Office decor now signals insecurity and petulance rather than gravitas. Some preservationists caution that a project of this scale could be difficult to reverse and may set a new precedent for future upgrades. Still, supporters argue the changes meet a modern demand for a flexible, larger entertaining space to host diplomacy and public events.
Context and timeline: The White House has in the past allowed decorative updates and even larger changes when funded privately, but the current scope stands out for its scale and the concentration of gold leaf embellishments. If the funding remains private, the changes could be reversible, though some renovations would be challenging to undo. Officials say the improvements are part of a broader effort to modernize the residence while preserving its historic character, a balance that remains the subject of ongoing debate as the pace of renovation continues.