Trump Unveils Renovation of Lincoln Bathroom Amid Government Shutdown

On October 31, 2025, President Donald Trump announced the completion of a significant renovation to the Lincoln Bathroom in the White House. The project involved replacing the previous 1940s-era art deco green tile design with black and white polished Statuary marble, which Trump described as more appropriate for the Lincoln era. He shared before-and-after photos of the renovation on his social media platform, Truth Social, stating, “This was very appropriate for the time of Abraham Lincoln and, in fact, could be the marble that was originally there!”

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The Lincoln Bathroom, located adjacent to the Lincoln Bedroom, had remained largely unchanged since its last renovation during Harry Truman's presidency in 1945. Trump criticized the earlier design, asserting that it did not align with the historical context of Abraham Lincoln's time, saying, “It’s a style that is not good… it is actually art deco and art deco doesn’t go with 1850 and civil wars.” This renovation is part of a broader effort by Trump to modernize the White House, which has included the controversial demolition of the East Wing to make way for a new $300 million ballroom.

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The announcement of the Lincoln Bathroom renovation has drawn mixed reactions, particularly as it coincides with a prolonged government shutdown affecting federal workers and food assistance programs. Critics have labeled Trump's focus on lavish renovations as "tone deaf," given the ongoing financial struggles faced by many Americans. A Yahoo/YouGov poll indicated that 61% of Americans oppose the construction of the new ballroom, which has been funded by private donors, while only 25% support it.

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In response to the backlash, Trump defended his renovation efforts, stating, “We are bringing this building back to life. It was dead as a doornail, but it will soon be beautiful again!” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also expressed support for the renovations, emphasizing the aesthetic improvements being made to the historic building.

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• “I renovated the Lincoln Bathroom in the White House. It was renovated in the 1940s in an art deco green tile style, which was totally inappropriate for the Lincoln Era,” — President Donald Trump

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• “It’s a style that is not good … it is actually art deco and art deco doesn’t go with 1850 and civil wars.” — President Donald Trump

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• “We are bringing this building back to life. It was dead as a doornail, but it will soon be beautiful again!” — President Donald Trump

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As Trump continues to oversee renovations at the White House, he has also announced plans for a new arch monument in Washington, D.C., to commemorate the country’s 250th anniversary. This project, along with the ongoing ballroom construction, is expected to further reshape the landscape of the White House and its surroundings, despite the criticism surrounding these changes.

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