David Axelrod, a former senior adviser to President Barack Obama, has issued a stark warning to the Republican Party, stating they should be deeply concerned about Donald Trump's preoccupation with extravagant renovations to the White House and Washington D.C. landmarks.
The 'Marie Antoinette Thing': Lavish Spending Amid Economic Strain
Axelrod, now a chief political analyst for CNN, characterised the president's focus on opulent redesigns as his "Marie Antoinette thing," a reference to the French queen notorious for her decadence while the public suffered. This criticism comes as government data reveals many Americans are still grappling with high living costs, despite a cooling inflation rate.
The renovations, which have been widely publicised, include painting the Oval Office gold, installing marble in the Palm Room, and paving over the Rose Garden for a new patio. The most significant change has been the demolition of the White House's East Wing to construct a multi-million dollar ballroom. Trump's plans extend beyond 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, featuring an Arc de Triomphe-style arch for the capital and adding marble armrests to the performing arts centre that now bears his name.
A Political Distraction from Kitchen Table Issues
"People are sitting around and thinking about how they’re gonna pay their bills and [Trump’s] posting stuff about how he’s gonna have marble handrails at the Kennedy Center," Axelrod said during a recent CNN appearance. He argued that voters who were promised relief from rising prices are now asking, "What the hell does that have to do with me?"
While the annual inflation rate eased to 2.7 percent in November 2025, down from 3 percent in September, the situation remains mixed for households. Food price increases slowed to 2.6 percent annually, but energy costs climbed to 4.2 percent, up from 2.8 percent two months prior. Axelrod contends that showcasing luxury renovations during this ongoing affordability crisis creates "a huge political problem" symbolising a leader out of touch with everyday struggles.
Historical Parallels and Midterm Implications
This is not the first time Trump has been compared to the ill-fated French queen. In November, during the longest U.S. government shutdown in history, California's Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom trolled the president by sharing an AI-generated image of Trump as Marie Antoinette with the caption "GOOD NIGHT, PEASANTS!".
Although Trump is not on the ballot in the 2026 midterm elections, Axelrod warned that the perception of selfish luxury and distraction from economic promises should make Republicans "really concerned about what they’re seeing." The analyst suggested that the president's focus on gold, marble, and putting his name on buildings could alienate the very voters the GOP needs to retain support in Congress.
