PoliticsConan O'Brien Roasts Donald Trump's Gold White House Makeover as He Turns Joke About His Golden Retriever Into Political Punchline
Conan O’Brien mocked Donald Trump’s love of gold decor on his podcast.
Sept. 5 2026, Published 5:01 a.m. ET
Conan O’Brien found a shiny new way to mock President Donald Trump.
On the latest episode of “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend,” the former late-night host turned a joke about his golden retriever into a dig at Trump’s well-documented love of gold decor.
The comedian joked that his imaginary gold-filled home was ‘very Trumpy.’
O’Brien joked that he handles his dog’s shedding by buying only gold clothes, adding that his house is “painted gold” and has “all gold rugs.”
“It’s very Trumpy, but for different reasons,” he said, before slipping into a Trump impression. “Trump came by, and he was like, ‘This is pretty good.’”
“He drops in all the time,” O’Brien added.
A Gilded White House
Conan O’Brien’s remarks referenced Donald Trump’s gilded makeover of the White House and Oval Office.
The joke came as Trump’s own decorating choices continue to draw attention. During his time in office, the president has leaned into gold accents across official spaces, including a redesigned Oval Office with gold-framed portraits and 24-karat gold detailing in the Cabinet Room and Entrance Hall.
Trump has reportedly also added gold accents to the Lincoln Bathroom and even helped install some Oval Office touches himself with super glue.
The style tracks with Trump’s longtime aesthetic at properties including Mar-a-Lago and Trump Tower. White House reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan also wrote in Regime Change that Trump’s staff had muted reactions when asked about the display, while aide Natalie Harp “would gush with delight.”
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Conan O'Brien Keeps It Funny
Donald Trump’s signature gold aesthetic continued to draw attention across official spaces.
O’Brien has criticized Trump before, including in his 2026 Harvard commencement address, where he addressed the president’s lawsuit against the university. He has also joked about Trump’s fights with late-night hosts, the Kennedy Center and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
But his podcast jab was more playful than furious, matching his own advice about political comedy.
Conan O’Brien defended humor over anger when addressing political figures through comedy.
At an Oxford Union event in January, O’Brien warned that comedians risk losing their strongest tool when they let Trump material become pure anger.
“Some comics go the route of ‘I’m going to just say F Trump’ all the time,” he said. “And I think well now, a little bit, you’re being co-opted because you’re so angry.”
For O’Brien, the better weapon is still the joke.
“It’s like a siren leading you into the rocks,” he said. “I think you’ve now put down your best weapon, which is being funny, and you’ve exchanged it for anger.”
