A new gold cursive sign identifying the Oval Office has been installed at the White House, drawing criticism as the government shutdown threatens the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap). The sign, affixed beside the office door, is the latest in a series of lavish renovations by President Donald Trump, including the demolition of the East Wing for a $300m ballroom.
Lawmakers have expressed outrage over the timing. Congressman Malcolm Kenyatta of Pennsylvania wrote on X: 'A: This sign looks like shit. B: 43 million Americans don’t have access to SNAP and are weeks away from health care costs exploding even more.' Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware added: 'I wish they would focus on helping struggling Americans, but this isn’t a good sign.'
The government shutdown, now the longest in US history, has forced the distribution of only half of usual Snap benefits this month. A Washington Post, ABC News and Ipsos poll found that more than half of Americans disapproved of the East Wing demolition.
Florida Congressman Jared Moskowitz joked: 'Good, new signage means he won’t knock it down,' referencing the earlier controversy. Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office mocked the sign with a doctored photo reading 'Live, laugh, LOSE' instead of 'the Oval Office'.
