The U.S. economy isn’t in a recession — yet. And hopefully, it won’t be. But according to Moody’s Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi, the number of industries cutting back on headcount is … well, concerning.
Meanwhile, Americans are struggling — grappling with debt, the rising cost of living, and a general sense that their dollar just isn’t going far enough. And they’re not just blaming “the economy” in the abstract. Six out of 10 Americans say the Trump administration is driving up their cost of living, according to a new Morning Consult poll.
But there’s one person who doesn’t seem to be feeling the pinch. President Donald Trump is spending millions of dollars and accepting literal gold gifts, which feels wildly out of touch with everyday Americans.
Last week, Donald Trump received a glass disc with a 24-karat gold base from Apple CEO Tim Cook. Earlier this year, he accepted a $400 million jet from the Qatari royal family, worth over 100 times more than all foreign gifts given to U.S. presidents combined since 2001. And get this: it could cost up to $1 billion to renovate.
He’s also reimagined the Oval Office, drenching it in gold, from the stars surrounding the presidential seal on the ceiling to the statues on the fireplace mantel. And it emerged last week that Trump intends to build an enormous $200 million ballroom for hosting official receptions — one of the biggest White House projects in more than a century. Take a look:
“So we’ll start in two months maybe, two and a half months, and we’ll have it completed in less than two years. It’s a very incredible structure — a lot of it’s interior work, it’s gonna be beautiful, because normally I can build a building like that in four, five months, but it’s very intricate, beautiful, beautiful — the best marbles.”
And who’s paying for this? White House officials say Trump and “unspecified donors.”
If it’s a gift, it could raise both ethical and legal questions, potentially violating the Foreign Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution or the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act, which exists to block this type of thing.
Democrats are skeptical. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said at a press briefing, “Listen, I’m happy to eat my cheeseburger at my desk. I don’t need a $200 million ballroom to eat it in. OK?” And many Americans feel the same.
Sure, White House upgrades might look impressive. And yes, gold gifts make for great photo ops. But while the president is basking in marble and chandeliers, millions of Americans are just trying to make rent, keep groceries on the table and pay off their credit cards.
When the person in the highest office is spending and receiving millions frivolously, while the rest of the country is tightening its belt, it’s not just bad optics — it’s a reminder of exactly how far removed our leaders can be from the lives of the people they represent.
Lindsey Granger is a News Nation contributor and co-host of The Hill’s commentary show “Rising.” This column is an edited transcription of her on-air commentary.
