The 1987 Donald Trump Photo: The Surprising Influence on His White House Makeover

A vintage photograph of Donald Trump alongside his ex-wife, Ivana Trump, has emerged, potentially shedding light on Trump’s ambitious $200 million expansion at the White House. The 47th president unveiled his vision for a grand ballroom back in July, and construction has commenced following a pause on public tours starting September 1.This newly surfaced image from the Instagram account Xennialfarmer features Trump and Ivana in what resembles an opulent ballroom adorned with gold decor. Captured in Palace Square, they don elegant attire against the backdrop of Russia’s Winter Palace."Now you know what inspired his Oval Office restorations," reads a caption, igniting speculation about the replication of historical elements from St. Petersburg. Amidst mixed reactions, some criticized the renovations as "tacky" and "gaudy." Since January 2025, Trump has relentlessly altered the White House to reflect his taste, favoring maximalism and lavish gold accents, including the Oval Office and Rose Garden. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)