In one of Trump’s latest Executive Orders, he announced his desire to make federal government buildings beautiful again through implementing a national standard for classical architecture. The order was signed as a way to both standardize civic structures and reduce the influence of brutalist architecture.
This move also comes shortly after Trump announced plans to build a new ballroom in the White House, a $200 million project funded by himself and anonymous private investors. Since President Trump took office, there’s been a massive shift in the White House’s decorum. In comparison to the sparse stylings of the Biden administration, Trump’s gilded Oval Office and his vigilant upkeep of the building’s beautification is the visual confirmation of his promise to bring America into its Golden Age.
Long before entering the world of politics, Trump was well known for his distinct style. As a businessman, he built properties that were glamorous and chic. Across the nation, Trump’s real estate company built numerous skyscrapers with golden windows. In metropolitan areas, these shimmering structures became integral parts of famous skylines, a bright beacon of American prosperity.
Trump has a taste for opulence, as one peek into any of his hotel lobbies will tell you. However, this preference doesn’t need to be interpreted as bawdy. Rather, it suggests an acute reverence for beauty. When Trump purchased Mar-A-Lago, he was buying an irresistibly elegant property, but one that was very difficult to maintain.
The original owner, the heiress to the Post family fortune, had spent millions of dollars turning it into the crown jewel of Palm Beach’s high society. Upon its sale, the upkeep of the property was a major sticking point that led to potential buyers backing away from its sustained costs. Trump saw this liability as an opportunity, turning it into an elegant social club. Due to his keen financial instincts, Trump saw the value inherent to its timeless, palatial style.
Critics have accused Trump of being materialistic and avaricious. Between the golden towers and the “winter White House,” it’s easy for detractors to accuse him of being a Scrooge-like figure, comically seated on a pile of gold, counting his shiny coins to pass the time. This spiteful caricature is easily debunked through Trump’s willingness to sacrifice his own money and leisure to serve the public.
He’s one of the few politicians who stepped into the political theater after he made his fortune.
The golden aura that surrounds Trump, and which now fills the storied walls of the White House, is a symbol of power. It’s a scintillating, direct message to the world and its overzealous leaders. Donald Trump built his political career on the promise to Make America Great Again. The new construction is sending a message that America is not only great, but grand. A meeker version of the country was ushered out with the Biden administration. In its wake, a formidable and influential government has arisen.
This savvy approach to global diplomacy is a tried and true practice for Trump. In 1983, the native New Yorker built his Manhattan Tower with a personal golden penthouse. The apartment is lined with gold and marble, from the furniture to the floors. Even the ceiling features Louis XIV style paintings, flanked by cherubs and chandeliers. He used the space as a home and as an emblem to his business empire. Its opulence was a fair warning to business adversaries.
Trump made greatness his signature. From his position at the helm of America, it logically follows that he’s attempting to ensure that same standard of success. Constructing lovely federal offices and sparkling new ballrooms are only a piece of the puzzle. These things are signals of a new standard for excellence and strength. They are shadows whose existence indicates something higher and more meaningful is shining nearby. The malaise of stagnation has been shed in favor of a vibrant, palpable energy.
Amidst all of these things lies a selfless veneration for the history of America. Trump’s Golden Age doesn’t attempt to ignore the legacy of prior generations who fought and laid down their lives in service of the country. In a move of sheer humility, Trump’s White House has hung several portraits of Founding Fathers and dignified patriots to the walls. Designers even increased the size and detailing on their frames, giving them a larger, more dominating presence throughout the room. Presiding over the fireplace mantle, a painting of George Washington looks down upon the office with grace and approval.
Trump understands the importance of American heritage. He’s lionized the nation’s legacy, making no apologies for the “problematic” notions of the past because they are vital parts of the country’s identity. He lines the walls with honorable faces, so that the country has a precise vision of nobility to strive for. He builds structures that are awe-inspiring so that generations have something to be genuinely inspired by. Trivialities such as aesthetics might be overlooked, but for a nation seeking to reestablish its identity, these updates are the first step towards substantial integrity.
Trump purchased Mar-A-Lago in a state of disrepair, with each amenity looking like a risky expenditure. He used his skills as a businessman to help turn that weary old building into one of the most sought after American country clubs. Ever the visionary, Trump sees potential and is once again making an investment: This time, in the entire United States.
