Trump Showcases Marble-Filled Lincoln Bathroom as White House Renovation Continues During Shutdown

President Donald Trump on Friday published a series of photographs revealing the completed makeover of the bathroom adjoining the Lincoln Bedroom, expanding a months-long effort to remodel prominent areas of the White House even as a partial government shutdown reaches its 31st day.

The images, shared across seven posts on Truth Social, depict walls, floors, and ceilings clad in black-and-white polished Statuary marble. Gold-colored fixtures—including sink and bathtub faucets, wall sconces, and a waste bin—contrast with the stone surfaces, while a crystal chandelier hangs from the ceiling. Trump wrote that the material “could be the marble that was originally there,” calling the décor consistent with the period of the 16th president, who served from 1861 until his assassination in 1865.

The renovation replaces an art-deco green-tile scheme that had been present for decades. In a July interview with NBC News, Trump said the previous design was “totally inappropriate for the Lincoln era” and announced plans to return the space to what he believes is a historically accurate aesthetic. Friday’s posts mark the first public look at the finished work.

The bathroom redesign follows earlier changes to the Oval Office and the East Wing, forming part of a broader modernization project carried out during Trump’s tenure. White House budgets traditionally include funds for maintenance and preservation, though the scope of the current updates has prompted debate over cost and timing.

Criticism during shutdown

Democratic lawmakers and commentators quickly criticized the president’s focus on interior decorating while negotiations to reopen shuttered federal agencies remain stalled. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., wrote on X that Trump “actually cares more about his toilet than he does about fixing your healthcare.” Political commentator Harry Sisson added that “millions of people are being kicked off of food assistance,” calling the renovation posts “tone deaf.” Ron Filipkowski, editor in chief of the media outlet MeidasTouch, argued that Trump was showcasing bathroom photos “instead of negotiating.”

In response, White House spokesman Davis Ingle told CNBC that “Democrats are more concerned with President Trump’s historic beautification of the White House than they are for American citizens they are hurting because of their reckless government shutdown.” No cost figures for the bathroom project were immediately released, and the administration has not detailed whether the work drew on existing preservation funds or supplemental allocations.

Additional construction at the Kennedy Center

Separate from the White House improvements, Trump reported inspecting ongoing construction at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where he removed several board members earlier this year and named himself chair. In a Truth Social update, he said exterior columns “in serious danger of corrosion” had been treated and painted white, and that stages, seats, and carpeting were being upgraded. The post followed a Washington Post article stating that ticket sales at the venue have declined sharply in recent months.

Imagem: imagem internet 45

Historical considerations

The Lincoln Bedroom, originally used as an office by President Abraham Lincoln, has been remodeled a number of times, most notably during the Truman reconstruction of the late 1940s. Preservation guidelines require that alterations respect the building’s architectural integrity, though administrations traditionally have latitude in decorative choices for private and semi-private rooms. According to the White House Historical Association, each new president may allocate both public and private funds to refurbish residence areas, subject to oversight by the Committee for the Preservation of the White House.

The decision to employ black-and-white marble aligns with mid-19th-century tastes, though historians note that records of the bathroom’s original materials are scarce. The current iteration introduces modern plumbing technology while adopting period-inspired finishes, reflecting a balance between functionality and historical reference. The addition of gold-colored hardware and a crystal light fixture represents a stylistic departure from the more understated fixtures typical of the Civil War era, but parallels can be found in high-style Victorian interiors of the period.

Shutdown impact

Meanwhile, the government shutdown continues to affect federal services ranging from nutrition assistance to national park operations. House and Senate negotiators remained at an impasse over budget priorities as of Friday afternoon. The Office of Management and Budget has not indicated when furloughed employees might return or when affected programs might resume full capacity.

It remains unclear whether further White House renovations are scheduled to debut in the coming weeks. In previous statements, Trump mentioned “inside-and-out” improvements without specifying additional rooms or exterior features. Any future disclosures are likely to attract heightened scrutiny while congressional leaders and the administration seek a resolution to restore government funding.

Crédito da imagem: Truth Social / @realdonaldtrump