3 weeks ago
Clinton compares Trump's White House renovations to Saddam's palaces
Hillary Clinton used to be one of the most important leaders in the United States.
She was on a podcast where people talk about the news.
She said the White House, where the president lives, now has too much gold on the walls.
She said it looks like the fancy palaces owned by Saddam Hussein, a leader from Iraq who was known for being very rich and powerful.
Clinton said the gold makes her feel sad because she thinks it is not very nice to look at.
She thinks President Donald Trump cares more about making the White House shiny than about helping the country with big problems.
The White House workers did not agree with her.
A spokesperson said Clinton is upset because Trump beat her in an election many years ago.
Some people think the president can fix up the White House however he wants.
Other people think the White House belongs to all Americans and should be treated with care.
Hillary Clinton compared President Trump's gold-heavy White House renovations to the palaces of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, calling them 'just insane.'
Clinton said the changes are 'tacky' and reflect Trump's 'narcissistic personality' and his need to feel important.
She questioned Trump's priorities, saying his mind goes to 'Where can I add more gold?' instead of issues like Iran and artificial intelligence.
Gold detailing has been added across the Oval Office and parts of the West Wing, and the East Wing was demolished for a proposed ballroom.
White House spokesman Davis Ingle responded that Clinton never decorated the Oval Office as president because she lost to Trump in the 2016 election.
- Who
- Hillary Clinton, former US Secretary of State, and President Donald Trump, with White House spokesman Davis Ingle responding
- What
- Clinton compared Trump's gold-heavy White House renovations to Saddam Hussein's palaces and called them tacky reflections of his personality
- Where
- The Pivot podcast interview with Kara Swisher, concerning the White House in Washington D.C.
- When
- Interview on the Pivot podcast, reported on August 8, 2026
- Why
- Clinton believes the renovations reflect Trump's 'narcissistic personality' and misplaced priorities on appearances rather than major policy
Critics of the renovations
White House / Trump administration
White House renovations
Critics of the renovations
Clinton calls the gold-heavy changes 'tacky' and 'insane,' saying they are reminiscent of Saddam Hussein's palaces and reflect Trump's 'narcissistic personality.'
White House / Trump administration
The White House dismisses Clinton's remarks, noting she never had the opportunity to decorate the Oval Office as president because of her defeat to Trump in 2016.
Ballroom project
Critics of the renovations
Clinton says she is not against the idea of a ballroom but opposes this one and the lack of process behind it, calling it a 'carbuncle on the side of the White House.'
White House / Trump administration
The Trump administration has carried out the project, including demolition of the East Wing, as part of extensive changes since Trump returned to office in 2025.
Presidential priorities
Critics of the renovations
Clinton says Trump is 'unhinged, obsessed and focused on all the wrong things,' such as gold decorations and a failed reflecting pool job, instead of Iran policy and AI.
White House / Trump administration
The White House frames Clinton's criticism as sour grapes from a politician who 'suffered a humiliating defeat' and 'has never recovered from' losing to Trump.
Key facts
- Interviewer
- Kara Swisher
- Interview Platform
- Pivot podcast
- Interview Date
- Friday, reported August 8, 2026
- Gold Renovations
- Gold detailing added across the Oval Office and parts of the West Wing
- East Wing
- Demolished to make way for a proposed ballroom
- Other Projects Criticized
- 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery and the National Mall reflecting pool repairs
- White House Response
- Spokesman Davis Ingle cited Clinton's 2016 election defeat to Trump
Quotes
Hillary Clinton
Former U.S. Secretary of State and 2016 presidential candidate
“It’s sad to me. It’s sad that it’s so tacky, and it’s a reflection of his narcissistic personality and his need to feel important, including sticking gold embellishments all over the walls of the Oval Office.”
indianexpress.com
“I had meetings in some of Saddam Hussein’s palaces, and they were quite reminiscent of what we are seeing in our own White House. It’s just insane.”
indianexpress.com









