President Donald Trump drew sharp criticism after boasting about the 24-karat gold decorations in the Oval Office while Americans continue to grapple with high grocery prices and broader financial stress.
Since returning to the White House, Trump has made a number of changes to the Oval Office’s design, along with the rest of the historic building. He replaced many of the understated furnishings with gold accents, including elaborate details on the fireplace and surrounding walls.
What golden redesign of the Oval Office
On Truth Social, and reposted on X, Trump shared a video highlighting the golden decorations. He then claimed that visiting leaders often reacted in awe.
“Some of the highest quality 24 Karat Gold used in the Oval Office and Cabinet Room of the White House. Foreign Leaders, and everyone else, ‘freak out’ when they see the quality and beauty,” the president posted. “Best Oval Office ever, in terms of success and look!!! President DJT.”
The post quickly spread across platforms to X, where users labeled Trump’s message as out of touch, pointing out how the boast comes amid ongoing economic struggles.
Some of the highest quality 24 Karat Gold used in the Oval Office and Cabinet Room of the White House. Foreign Leaders, and everyone else, “freak out” when they see the quality and beauty. Best Oval Office ever, in terms of success and look!!! President DJT pic.twitter.com/x1ckQ86wuA — Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) September 28, 2025
Critics call the boast out of touch
Many reactions online were unimpressed with Trump’s post. Some asked where basic necessities like healthcare or cheaper cost of living were. One commenter said, “Looks like it comes from Temu. How gaudy and tacky.”
Another critic, @JoshEakle, called the imagery “grotesque.” He continued, “A President slashes healthcare, heaps unprecedented tariffs onto working Americans, and then posts gaudy videos flaunting his new gold-plated trinkets. Americans will not bow to another king. History proves that the pendulum always swings. And when it swings back, it will swing hard.”
“Well there it is folks; I guess he wasn’t wrong when he said the ‘golden age’ of America was coming, except he left out the crucial part that it was only for himself,” tweeted @Delboy_34.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the price of groceries has gone up 29% since February 2020, rising by 0.6% from July to August of this year—the fastest grocery rate hike since October 2022.
“Can we just get healthcare,” wrote @MeidasTouch.
We are $40 trillion dollars in debt.
pic.twitter.com/FCawhflTW8 — Spencer Hakimian (@SpencerHakimian) September 28, 2025
Many users highlighted the contrast between lavish décor and financial stress. “Think of this video when your grocery bill cleans out your bank account,” wrote @MeachamDr.
@Roman_Fyseek suggested, “In the next few months, we’ll find out that he gave the decorating contract to a friend and billed the US Govt for 24k gold even though everybody knows it’s gold colored paint.”
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mattgen88 on October 4th, 2025 at 14:49 UTC »
Let me ask you something... Do you think someone would gild their residence if they thought they were leaving in 3 years?
joetaxpayer on October 4th, 2025 at 14:38 UTC »
Before the 2016 election, I was a kind person. At the age of 54 I could honestly say that over the course of my life there were only two people that I hated, and by then they had both passed away.
Since then, it seems that when I advocate to feed the hungry, care for the sick, or house the homeless, I’m accused of being a socialist or worse. The last thing they will do is acknowledge that I’m actually quoting their Jesus.
As we slip into a full-blown dictatorship, where the leader is honoring himself by spending hundreds of millions of dollars to produce a ballroom had called, pleading everything in the White House, I’m enjoying watching how Trump voters are slowly starting to realize they got screwed. To be clear, I am not happy that anyone is suffering, that would be unkind. But as I see, farmers acknowledging that the terrorists are putting them out of business or other Trump voters talking about how they are losing their insurance because they already know it’s going up and they can’t afford to pay a dollar more, I am out of effs to give.
I used to ask the rhetorical question “what would it take to come to their senses“ and now I’m starting to think we’re approaching that point. Where they literally can’t pay their bills and no help is going to arrive for them. This is reflected in recent polling as well.
crashorbit on October 4th, 2025 at 14:38 UTC »
The mad king has doomed us all.