Musician Jack White has openly criticized President Donald Trump’s redesign of the Oval Office, which features gold accents, leading to a heated exchange with the White House that has devolved into personal attacks.
The former White Stripes member shared his disapproval on Instagram on Monday, August 18, 2025, highlighting an image from Trump’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. White compared the newly styled office to a wrestler’s locker room, criticizing the gold-leaf decor as vulgar and a transformation of the historic setting.
White focused on Trump’s March renovations, which included gold trim, large frames, gilded mirrors, gold eagles, and Trump-branded items. He questioned whether the American public could trust someone with such tastes to manage nuclear codes, sarcastically suggesting that gold-plated Trump Bibles and Trump shoes would match the new decor.
The musician concluded his post by complimenting Zelensky as a genuine leader, depicted in a black suit, contrasting him with Trump’s appearance and style of governance.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung responded harshly, claiming White has time for social media due to his faltering career. “Jack White is a washed-up, has-been loser,” Cheung stated, accusing White of failing to understand the significance of the Oval Office.
Cheung also accused White of pretending to be a true artist and disrespecting the grandeur of the People’s House, marking a rare personal retort from the White House towards a celebrity critic.
This dispute continues a history of conflicts between White and Trump’s political team. White has previously called Trump a fascist and wannabe dictator on social media, criticizing his policies and actions.
In August, White started legal proceedings against Trump’s 2024 campaign following the use of The White Stripes’ song “Seven Nation Army” in a promotional video without permission. Deputy communications director Margo Martin posted the video of Trump boarding a plane to the track, leading White to threaten legal action on Instagram.
The band filed a federal lawsuit with six counts of copyright infringement, claiming Trump’s campaign ignored efforts to resolve the issue. The White Stripes later withdrew the lawsuit in November without prejudice, allowing for possible future refiling.
Interior design experts have commented on Trump’s decorating choices. New York designer Tommy Landen noted that while gold can be attractive, excessive use becomes overwhelming. White House history enthusiast Donald Meriam stated that although all presidents make design choices that some dislike, Trump’s changes involve an entire room’s visual reprogramming.
Social media users echoed White’s view on the office redesign, with some describing it as gaudy. Comments compared it to spray-painted Home Depot items and joked about Elvis impersonators performing weddings there.
White’s activism extends to his live shows. During his No Name tour, he altered the lyrics of his 2018 song “Corporation” to critique Trump and Elon Musk. A February performance in Boston, Massachusetts, included references to government subsidies, military service, and business failures.
The 12-time Grammy winner has maintained an active tour schedule through 2025, contradicting Cheung’s claim of a stalled career. White has performed in several states and internationally, with upcoming shows in California and Washington.
This clash illustrates ongoing tensions between Trump’s administration and entertainment figures critical of his policies. Other musicians, including Celine Dion and Foo Fighters, have also objected to the unauthorized use of their music by Trump’s campaigns.
