President Donald Trump has just revealed a jaw-dropping renovation of the Lincoln Bedroom bathroom that’s got everyone talking.
From a stunning black and white marble design to sweeping changes across the White House, like a new ballroom and revamped Rose Garden, Trump’s privately funded projects are reshaping the presidential residence amidst a heated government shutdown over health insurance subsidies.
The BBC reported that this latest update to the Lincoln Bedroom’s bathroom, part of the historic office and cabinet room once used by Abraham Lincoln himself, swaps out a dated 1940s art deco green tile look for a sleek, era-appropriate marble finish.
Gold fixtures, from the sink to the shower door, and even a chandelier, add a touch of opulence. It’s a nod to history, as the White House Historical Association notes the original wallpaper in Lincoln’s space featured green and gold hues.
Trump didn’t hold back, proudly sharing photos of the gleaming new bathroom on social media. He’s made it clear this isn’t just a cosmetic fix but a return to what he sees as fitting for Lincoln’s legacy. And let’s be honest—those 1940s tiles weren’t exactly screaming presidential.
Even better, the White House confirms this bathroom overhaul didn’t cost taxpayers a dime, with private funds covering every gold-plated detail. Compare that to the endless government spending debates, and it’s a refreshing change of pace.
But the bathroom isn’t the only transformation underway. Back in August, Trump turned a grassy section of the iconic Rose Garden into a stone-paved patio, a practical move to keep mud off the shoes of dignitaries.
Then there’s the Oval Office, now adorned with gilded gold touches—think gold-framed portraits, mirrors, and even a gold leaf presidential seal on the ceiling.
In October, the East Wing was torn down to make room for a multi-million-dollar ballroom, fully funded by Trump and a group of his friends and donors.
It’s a bold addition, though Trump initially suggested it wouldn’t disrupt the existing structure before acknowledging the demolition was necessary. A White House spokesperson called it a “visionary” and “necessary” project, privately funded to boot.
Yet not everyone’s applauding these changes. Conservation groups are up in arms, arguing that such significant alterations to the White House’s classical style should’ve faced public review. They claim the new designs overwhelm the building’s historic aesthetic, a critique that feels a tad overblown when history itself is being honored.
Political opponents, especially Democrats, are seizing the moment to score points. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer quipped, “Donald Trump actually cares more about his toilet than he does about fixing your healthcare.”
It’s a snappy line, but let’s not pretend the ongoing government shutdown—now in its second month over health insurance subsidies—is a one-man show.
Former President Barack Obama also chimed in, sarcastically noting Trump is “focused on critical issues, like paving over the Rose Garden so folks don't get mud on their shoes.”
It’s a cheap shot, ignoring that these projects cost taxpayers nothing while the shutdown’s real issues stem from partisan gridlock. If only the same energy went into solving that healthcare dispute.
Look, the criticism isn’t entirely baseless—timing matters, and with the government stalled, optics are tricky. But pinning the shutdown on Trump’s decor choices is a stretch when both sides are dug in over policy. These renovations, funded out of pocket, shouldn’t be the punching bag for broader failures.
Let’s zoom out: the White House isn’t just a building; it’s a symbol, and Trump’s updates aim to reflect a grandeur he believes matches its stature. The Lincoln Bedroom bathroom, with its marble and gold, ties back to an era of strength and dignity. Dismissing that as mere vanity misses the point.
Conservationists might clutch their pearls over “overwhelming” the classical style, but isn’t adaptation part of preserving history? The White House has evolved under every administration—Truman renovated Lincoln’s office in the 1940s, after all. Trump’s vision, love it or hate it, keeps that tradition alive.