Fact Check: Did Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse and Trump’s Oval Office feature similar gold decor?

WASHINGTON, DC: Recently on social media, some users shared side-by-side photographs claiming that the lavish interior of Jeffrey Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse was identical to parts of President Donald Trump’s White House.

Viral posts suggested that Epstein’s residence decor was being copied by Trump for his Oval Office. But how much of this claim is actually true?

Claim: Trump’s Oval Office interior is identical to Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse

In early December 2025, the progressive media platform Occupy Democrats shared a graphic on social media juxtaposing the interior decor of President Trump’s White House with images of the late offender Jeffrey Epstein’s Manhattan residence.

On Facebook, the post included the caption “Birds of a feather…” The platform repeated the same claim on Instagram.

The graphic circulated just days after Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released a collection of photos and videos from Epstein’s island in the US Virgin Islands.

One image in the Occupy Democrats graphic appeared to show Trump standing before shelves, a wall, and a doorway decorated with gold trim and ornate detailing.

The accompanying photo, allegedly from Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse, featured similar gold accents on the mantelpiece and surrounding frames.

Fact Check: True, Trump’s Oval Office decor matches Epstein’s townhouse interior

The two images do in fact depict the interior of President Donald Trump’s White House and Jeffrey Epstein’s Manhattan residence, supporting the accuracy of the claim.

The images from inside Epstein’s townhouse are legitimate and were taken by the FBI during its 2019 search of his property.

In December 2021, the government submitted these photos as evidence, and the specific image used in the comparison is also publicly available on Wikimedia Commons. Various news outlets reported that Trump redecorated the Oval Office with gold accents after beginning his second term.

The photo used in the Occupy Democrats graphic appeared on the official White House website, which described the renovations.

The caption stated: “In March 2025, President Donald Trump initiated a privately funded renovation of the Oval Office, incorporating gold filigree, historic portraits, and custom carvings inspired by his Mar-a-Lago estate.”

It further added: “Completed by August 2025, the updates enhanced the room’s aesthetic with elegant gold-accented décor, creating a refined setting for high-level meetings and showcasing America as the greatest nation in history.”

Given the similarities in the images, both men appeared to favor comparable decorative styles. 

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