Trump remodels Lincoln bathroom in latest White House renovation

November 1, 2025

President Donald Trump has revealed a renovated bathroom in the White House's Lincoln Bedroom, replacing 1940s-era art deco green tiles with black and white marble that he claims is more historically appropriate to Abraham Lincoln's time. This bathroom renovation is part of Trump's broader efforts to remodel the White House, which have included demolishing the East Wing for a new ballroom, converting the Rose Garden lawn into a stone patio, and adding gold accents throughout the Oval Office. While Trump maintains these projects are privately funded, conservation groups and political opponents have criticized the changes for lacking public review and for potentially overwhelming the White House's classical architectural style.

Who is affected

President Donald Trump (initiating the renovations)
Conservation groups (criticizing the changes)
Democratic political opponents, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and former President Barack Obama (criticizing Trump's priorities)
American taxpayers (though stated not to be funding the renovations)
White House Historical Association (providing historical context)
Trump's donor friends (funding the ballroom construction)
Americans unable to access healthcare due to the government shutdown

What action is being taken

The Lincoln Bedroom bathroom is being renovated with new black and white marble, gold fixtures, and a chandelier
The government shutdown is continuing into its second month over healthcare insurance subsidy disputes
Democrats are criticizing Trump's focus on renovations during the shutdown
The White House is defending the renovations against critics

Why it matters

This matters because it highlights tensions between presidential prerogatives to modify the White House and concerns about historical preservation of a nationally significant building. The controversy also reflects broader political divisions, as Democrats use the renovations to criticize Trump's priorities during a prolonged government shutdown affecting healthcare access. The debate raises questions about whether presidents should undergo public review processes before making substantial changes to the White House, a building that belongs symbolically to all Americans and carries significant historical and architectural value.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC