In a highly unusual move, the White House recently instructed the Government Publishing Office to reprint President Donald Trump’s official portrait using metallic gold ink, a change that required a specialized printer and delayed distribution. Vice President JD Vance’s portrait received the same treatment, replacing previously printed versions with more conventional white borders. The aim, according to an administration official: make them “glimmer”, the Wall Street Journal reported.
A golden makeover for the Oval Office
Since returning to office less than three months ago, Trump has become a hands-on art director for the executive residence, adding lavish gold embellishments to the Oval Office and surrounding rooms. He flew his longtime Florida cabinetmaker, John Icart—nicknamed “the gold guy” by aides—on Air Force One to Washington to help oversee the installation of gilded carvings on the fireplace mantel and molding. Gold cherubs from Mar-a-Lago now hang on the walls, and a Trump family crest in gold adorns the doorway.
The Golden Age, according to Trump
“It’s the Golden Office for the Golden Age,” said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Gold coasters embossed with Trump’s name sit on side tables, while the mantle now holds gold vases, urns, and even a gleaming World Cup trophy—replacing the simpler décor of prior administrations. Trump also reportedly investigated whether a chandelier could be installed in the Oval Office, though initial structural concerns have delayed the idea.
Design inspired by Mar-a-Lago’s opulence
The redesign draws heavily from Trump’s Florida club, where gold covers nearly every surface. The original Mar-a-Lago designer, Joseph Urban, was known for his grand opera sets, and Trump has long mirrored that aesthetic—whether in his New York apartment or now, in the White House. “People have tried to come up with a gold paint that would look like gold, and they have never been able to do it,” Trump said in a recent interview. “That’s why it’s gold.”
Foreign leaders bring gold gifts to match the mood
Trump’s well-known affinity for gold has not gone unnoticed abroad. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gifted him a gold pager symbolizing Israel’s military tech, while Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba gave him a gold samurai helmet during a February visit. Aides say the president was particularly pleased with both.
Plans for a Rose Garden patio and White House ballroom
Trump’s ambitions for the White House extend beyond gilded interiors. He has begun planning a new patio in the Rose Garden to host outdoor events and dine al fresco. The president has also expressed concern that the lawn isn’t heel-friendly for women’s footwear. Long-discussed ideas for a White House ballroom have resurfaced, with meetings already underway and questions raised to the White House Historical Association about necessary approvals.
Personal touch with institutional resistance
Although past presidents have made subtle updates to the White House, major changes to the historic state floor typically require the White House curator’s sign-off. Administration officials say the curator has been consulted on Trump’s gilded redesigns. Still, experts note the White House is ultimately the public’s, not a personal property. “The White House is the People’s House,” said historian Kate Andersen Brower.
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