U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled renovations to the bathroom in the Lincoln Bedroom, continuing his remodeling efforts at the White House.
Trump shared images of the revamped bathroom on social media, stating it had been “renovated in the 1940s in an art deco green tile style, which was totally inappropriate for the Lincoln Era.”
He asserted that the new black and white marble is “very appropriate for the time of Abraham Lincoln and, in fact, could be the marble that was originally there!”
This is the latest alteration Trump has made to the White House this year. In October, the East Wing was partially demolished to accommodate his new multi-million dollar ballroom.
The bathroom is part of Abraham Lincoln’s former office and cabinet room, which President Harry Truman refurbished during his extensive White House renovation in the late 1940s.
According to the White House Historical Association, the wallpaper in Lincoln’s office and bedroom was originally colored in green and gold.
Following Trump’s remodeling, the bathroom now features gold fixtures and accents for the sink, bathtub faucet, and shower door, along with a chandelier.
The White House has stated that the renovation was privately funded, incurring no cost to taxpayers.
The president’s attempts to imprint his personal style on the White House have drawn criticism from conservation groups and political opponents.
Trump previously stated that his ballroom addition to the East Wing would not “interfere with the current building.” However, in October, he acknowledged that the “existing structure” had to be torn down.
Trump has indicated that the ballroom construction is being fully funded by himself and “some friends of mine – donors.”
Conservationists have argued that Trump should have sought public review before making the changes, which they contend would overwhelm the White House’s classical style.
The White House responded to its critics, asserting that “unhinged leftists” were “clutching their pearls over President Donald J Trump’s visionary addition of a grand, privately funded ballroom to the White House – a bold, necessary addition.”
Other modifications to the White House include the August decision to pave over grass in the Rose Garden with stone, transforming a lawn into a patio.
Trump has also incorporated gilded gold accents throughout the Oval Office, including additional portraits framed in gold, gold-framed mirrors, and gold leaf for the presidential seal on the office ceiling.
In response to the latest bathroom renovation, Democrats have accused Trump of prioritizing White House remodeling over resolving the government shutdown.
Central to the shutdown, now entering its second month, is a dispute over the extension of health insurance subsidies.
“Donald Trump actually cares more about his toilet than he does about fixing your healthcare,” Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote in a social media post.
Speaking at a recent event, former U.S. President Barack Obama said Trump has been “focused on critical issues, like paving over the Rose Garden so folks don’t get mud on their shoes and gold plating the Oval Office and building a $300m ballroom” rather than addressing the shutdown.
“If you can’t visit a doctor, don’t worry. He will save you a dance,” he added.
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