Barack Obama mocks Donald Trump’s gold Oval Office redesign

Former President Barack Obama mocked President Donald Trump’s recent White House renovations during a behind-the-scenes video for an HBO Max production. While touring a replica of the Oval Office used for a sketch featuring comedian Larry David, Obama noted the absence of gold signage, referencing the gold-script ‘Oval Office’ sign installed by Trump.

Trump’s administration has overseen several aesthetic changes to the White House, including the addition of 24-karat gold-leaf trim to ceilings, fireplaces, and doorways. Other projects include the replacement of the Rose Garden’s lawn with stone tiles and a controversial ballroom project involving the demolition of the East Wing.

A White House spokesperson defended the changes as ‘beautification,’ stating that the president is working to make the historic building more beautiful while managing government affairs.