People think the gold in Donald Trump’s new White House renovations might not be real
Donald Trump’s nine-figure White House restoration plans, which include covering the historic political home in gold, have been scrutinised by critics - with some claiming the precious metal may not be real.
Earlier this summer, the Trump administration announced plans to funnel a whopping $200 million (£150m) into constructing a new White House ballroom, citing the need to ‘host major functions honouring world leaders and other countries’ without installing a ‘large and unsightly tent’.
It’s understood that the expensive renovations have also seen Trump, 79, bringing ‘gold piece after gold piece’ into his Washington residence, which some have previously branded as ‘tacky’.
As well as the ballroom, gold has infiltrated the Oval Office amid the businessman’s second term in office.
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This includes objects such as cherubs, urns and even trim lines in the ceiling.
There are also a number of other golden details and embellishments, including coasters featuring the US President’s surname.
The Wall Street Journal has previously reported that Trump gets his garish ornaments from a South Florida cabinetmaker, known as his ‘gold guy’.
Many social media users have already hit out at the new White House details, with one taking to X to write: “Trump is gold plating everything in the White House while cutting cancer research and meals on wheels.”
A second commented: “Are you ok with Trump spending $200,000,000.00 on a Gold- plated Ballroom at the White House while also cutting school meals for millions of needy children and Medicaid for millions of poor Americans?”
Meanwhile, some conspiracy theorists have complained that perhaps gilded items being installed in the White House aren’t exactly what they say they are.
In May, Inside Edition reported that some people on social media were claiming Trump’s decor had been purchased from Home Depot and covered with spray paint.
“WOW. Trump claims that he’s painting everything with 24 carat ‘gold, but it looks as FAKE as his campaign promises turned out to be,” said one X user.
They continued to allege: “That appliqué on the fireplace surround in the Oval Office costs less than $60 at Home Depot!”
A second remarked: “OMG so the tacky c**p Trump stuck up on the walls of the Oval Office is actually a polyurethane appliqué from Home Depot, probably spray-painted gold.”
It is unknown whether each piece of gold appliqué hanging in the Oval Office was hand-carved and finished by President Trump's ‘gold guy’ or purchased from shops and simply painted.
Tyla has reached out to the White House for further comment.
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, Money, Social Media, Twitter
Ella Scott