Overview
- President Trump posted before-and-after photos on Truth Social showing the Lincoln Bathroom redone in black-and-white statuary marble with gold fixtures and a chandelier.
- He argued the update better reflects the Lincoln era, replacing mid-20th-century art deco green tiles installed during the Truman renovations.
- The disclosure coincides with active demolition of the East Wing to make room for a privately funded 90,000-square-foot ballroom estimated at roughly $250 million to $300 million.
- Democrats and preservationists criticized the timing and aesthetics, highlighting the ongoing government shutdown as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer rebuked the focus on a bathroom remodel.
- Reuters reported the White House did not answer whether the bathroom work received formal design or review approvals, while recent moves reshaped federal design oversight bodies linked to the broader projects.