The Oval Office meeting between Donald Trump and Nayib Bukele was marked by a disturbing lack of accountability and a display of opulence. Both leaders, self-described as dictators, showed indifference to the wrongful deportation of Kilmar Ábrego García and engaged in casual slander during the meeting. Trump’s post-meeting redecoration of the Oval Office with excessive gold accents has drawn criticism for its gaudiness, with comparisons made to his brash leadership style. The use of gold in decorations has a dark history, involving toxic techniques like ormolu that have harmful environmental impacts, particularly in mining communities like El Salvador.

El Salvador made history by banning metal mining in 2017 after years of environmental and Indigenous activism against exploitative mining practices that left communities impoverished and waterways polluted. Despite this, Bukele’s recent push to overturn the ban in favor of gold mining raises concerns about environmental degradation and health risks. Critics argue that the environmental cost of gold mining outweighs its benefits, as the extraction process produces significant waste and pollution.

The allure of gold, driven by desire rather than necessity, has a troubling history of violence and exploitation. Trump’s affinity for gold decorations reflects a long-standing human fascination with shiny objects, symbolizing a pursuit of wealth and power at any cost. As history shows, leaders fixated on material wealth often face criticism for their shortsightedness and lack of perspective on the broader impacts of their actions. The story of gold serves as a cautionary tale of unchecked greed and the consequences of prioritizing luxury over sustainability and ethical practices.