Is Trump Turning the White House Into a Country Club? POTUS Accused of 'Jealousy' Toward British Royals

US President Donald Trump is facing renewed criticism over claims that he is transforming the White House into a personal 'country club', as reports of his lavish renovation projects and fascination with the British royal family fuel accusations of vanity, insecurity, and what tabloids have branded 'royal jealousy'.

The controversy follows Trump's second state visit to the UK in 2025, where his admiration for King Charles III reportedly bordered on envy.

Trump's Royal Obsession and 'Jealousy' Allegations

During his September 2025 visit to the United Kingdom —an unprecedented second invitation for a sitting US president—Trump appeared deeply captivated by the ceremony at Windsor Castle, calling it 'one of the highest honours of my life', according to the Associated Press.

Yet reports from The Sun claim that Trump was visibly irritable after witnessing King Charles warmly greet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a London event. The tabloid alleged he behaved 'like a jealous child' after being sidelined during a royal photo opportunity.

At the state banquet, Trump referred to the monarch as a 'very, very special man', comments that some analysts interpreted as wistful admiration rather than diplomacy.

As People magazine noted, Trump's remark that Britain was 'a fortunate country to have its royal family' sparked speculation that his fascination with the monarchy borders on longing for regal stature.

Mar-a-Lago Aesthetic Comes to Washington

At home, critics say Trump's ongoing renovation of the White House mirrors the ornate style of his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

According to Reuters, the president has approved a $250 million, 90,000-square-foot ballroom expansion, complete with marble floors, chandeliers, and terrace views modelled after his Palm Beach property.

Architectural critics quoted by the National Review said Trump appears to be 'bringing a little of that Mar-a-Lago style to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue,' transforming 'the people's house' into a private club for political allies.

Photos published by Town & Country Magazine show striped patio umbrellas, white pergolas, and ornamental fountains now decorating the White House grounds--features almost identical to those seen at Mar-a-Lago.

The outlet described the changes as a 'blend of Palm Beach opulence and Washington prestige.'

Backlash From Critics and TV Hosts

The new ballroom project has not gone unnoticed by Trump's detractors.

The View co-host Whoopi Goldberg lambasted the makeover as 'tacky, nasty, and gaudy,' warning that 'you don't own that building--it belongs to the American people,' as reported by The Independent.

Public documents cited by 13 ABC News confirm that demolition work on part of the East Wing began in early October to make way for the ballroom, despite earlier White House assurances that no major reconstruction was planned.

The project, officials said, is expected to be completed by late 2026.

Trump's team has defended the renovations as a modernisation effort to accommodate larger state events. But reports from TIME Magazine indicate that the ballroom's capacity--up to 1,000 guests--far exceeds traditional White House event spaces.

This has raised concerns about the building's transformation into a 'social club for political elites.'

Diplomatic Optics and Political Risks

Trump's embrace of royal-style pageantry has reignited debate about the symbolism of leadership in a republic.

Foreign-policy analyst Rachel Silverman told Reuters that 'when a US president begins mimicking royal etiquette and private-club culture, it muddies the line between democratic representation and personal grandeur.'

Despite the controversy, Trump's second state visit strengthened US–UK economic ties.

Both sides announced renewed technology and defence cooperation, with the president calling the visit a 'reset for the special relationship,' according to Reuters.

Still, the juxtaposition of his public admiration for monarchy abroad and lavish spending at home has critics questioning whether Trump views the presidency as a personal brand project rather than a public trust.

The White House's New Image

As construction cranes rise over the East Wing, the question remains whether Trump's architectural ambitions signal a symbolic shift — from the 'people's house' to the president's house.

Political commentators argue that the changes reflect a more profound desire for legacy and recognition.

As one BBC analyst put it, 'Trump doesn't just want to be remembered as a president--he wants to be remembered as an American king.'

Whether the public sees his efforts as visionary or vainglorious may depend on how the White House's evolving appearance — and its president's royal affinities — are ultimately judged by history.