Since Trump took office, the decorative style of the White House underwent a significant transformation, with shimmering ornaments gradually replacing the previous refined designs, embodying a luxurious flair consistent with Trump's personal style. Trump not only added a multitude of golden decorations inside the White House but also requested that presidential portraits be printed with golden borders, highlighting his fascination with gold.
It is reported that Trump specially hired John Icart, an interior designer from South Florida, to customize the elliptical office of the White House with gold decor. The walls, mantelpieces, and decorative lines are all inlaid with gold, giving what is arguably the world’s most famous office a more luxurious feel. Trump even personally oversaw the installation of the gilded golden reliefs on the fireplace and brought golden cherub statues from Mar-a-Lago as decorations.
This resplendent decorative style has been referred to by some visitors who had been to Mar-a-Lago as the "Mar-a-Lago style." Many areas of the White House are now adorned with golden elements, noticeable from the president's desk to the dining table in the private restaurant, even to the golden Trump emblem on the portico near Trump's office.
Trump's penchant for gold traces back decades, evident in the opulent gold décor of the penthouse at Trump Tower in New York. He openly expressed that "gold paint can never match the real thing," and such preferences are mirrored in the interior design of the White House. Even some foreign leaders have acknowledged Trump's love for gold, gifting him golden items, such as a golden pager from the Israeli Prime Minister and a golden samurai helmet from the Japanese Prime Minister.
This fervent pursuit of gold, wealth, and power has extended beyond Trump's private life, gradually permeating the core of American politics. This decorative style highlights Trump's aesthetic views on power and could be part of how he shapes his personal image on the political stage.
