Trump Turns the Oval Office Into a Glittering Gallery of Gold and Glamour

While President Donald Trump is actively working to significantly alter the federal government, he is simultaneously changing an iconic element of the presidential role: the design of the Oval Office.

Nearly eight weeks since returning to office, Trump has tripled the number of paintings hanging on the office walls. Shelves and surfaces are adorned with flags, statues and ornaments.

Consistent with his long-standing aesthetic preferences, gold can be found throughout: fresh gold vermeil statuettes adorn the mantelpiece along with medals on the hearth; golden eagles grace the side tables; ornate gilded rococo mirrors decorate the doors; tiny gold cherubs imported from Mar-a-Lago perch atop the pediments over each doorway. The TV remote even down the hallway is encased in gilt leather.

According to two individuals aware of his intentions, he considered installing a chandelier in the Oval Office, although this notion appears improbable at present.

This creates an image of the White House becoming more similar to President Trump’s residence in South Florida. Within the coming weeks, work is anticipated to start on transforming the Rose Garden according to Mr. Trump’s vision; this involves replacing the lawn with a patio-like sitting space akin to what can be found at his estate in Mar-a-Lago. Recently, the president himself went through the designs for the Rose Garden alongside White House curators.

According to an official from a visiting delegation, Trump has shared his ideas about the outdoor area, which was initially conceptualized by former First Lady Ellen Wilson, with leaders of other nations during walks near the South Portico.

On the South Lawn, the president intends to construct a new ballroom designed for hosting state dinners, similar to the one at Mar-a-Lago, which itself drew inspiration from the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. Since assuming his role, he has examined several blueprint options, proudly displaying these plans to guests and suggesting modifications as needed. Trump has consistently stated his willingness to cover all costs personally—he even proposed building it during President Obama’s tenure—but uncertainty remains about whether this initiative will move forward due to its location on historically significant land.

It keeps my real estate enthusiasm alive," Trump said to The Spectator recently about the potential renovations. "It will turn out beautifully.

This creates an environment very reminiscent of what one would expect from a Trump setting, where the president is encircled by numerous items, oddities, and artworks surpassing those found during his predecessors' tenures. Known for shunning minimalism, Trump seems most comfortable amidst this abundance of possessions: awards, artwork, documents, souvenirs.

Trump has long seen his office as a showplace as much as a workplace. For decades, his corner suite on the 26th floor of Trump Tower was stuffed with collectibles on the windowsill and tables, with framed photographs and magazine covers donning the walls. The Oval Office, particularly his desk, is far more orderly, yet still reminiscent of the place where he made his fame.

Each change made to the Oval Office — regardless of size — happens under his guidance, according to staff members, as he aims to redesign the area according to his vision.

The Oval Office stands out as the primary hub of authority within any administration; however, ever since Trump came back about two months ago, this space has emerged as one of the most prominent areas in the White House. He utilizes it not only to engage with visiting foreign leaders such as the notably antagonistic meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky but also serves as a setting for swearing-in ceremonies for new Cabinet secretaries and as a stage for his frequent daily Q&A sessions with journalists.

Oh, what an incredible sensation," Trump remarked as he sat at the Resolute Desk on Inauguration Day when questioned about his experience returning to the Oval Office. "This ranks among the top moments I've ever experienced.

Trump typically shows up at the West Wing around mid-morning after coming from his residence. He frequently starts his day quite early, sometimes as early as 6 a.m., engaging with various aides and supporters over the phone. During these calls, he often discusses recent TV news, newspaper articles, or potential daily activities. It's well known among his team that they can anticipate seeing him arrive at the office between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.

The place where he now finds himself feels reminiscent of a bustling art gallery. Although he quickly identified several paintings he wished to display, Trump has also perused countless catalogs featuring possible artworks from the nation’s collections for hanging in the Oval Office. He sifted through laminated pages to choose which former presidents' portraits would grace the walls shared by all who have held this position.

Once he selects the individuals whose pictures he wishes to display on the wall, he proceeds to choose the frames. Consistent with his preferred interior design style for his other establishments, Trump typically favors darker frames. Altogether, he has installed around 20 artworks in the Oval Office; these feature depictions of former presidents or notable figures whom he admires deeply. On the contrary, Joe Biden displayed only about six portraits during his tenure. This number was notably higher compared to Barack Obama’s selection—two portraits each of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington—but unlike Trump, Obama allocated much of the available wall space to contemporary art pieces, such as two borrowed works by Edward Hopper from the Whitney Museum.

A sizable oil portrait of Ronald Reagan now occupies a prominent position to Trump’s left as he sits at his desk. In another part of the room, a newly placed image of George Washington adorns the wall above the fireplace; this is not the same modest painting that was there when Trump took office in January, but rather an impressive portrait by Charles Willson Peale created in 1776, depicting the first president holding a sword.

Nearly every available square foot of wall space is adorned with oil paintings of esteemed historical figures such as founding fathers and past U.S. Presidents; in certain areas, their frames are so close together that they seem to jostle for position. The exhibition wall now features Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Jackson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and James K. Polk—on temporary display from Capitol Hill—all looking over the activities within the office.

Although numerous presidents have viewed the White House as an isolating environment, Trump frequently praises the elegance and magnificence of the presidential residence, with special emphasis on the Oval Office. While some commanders-in-chief opt for discussions in the Roosevelt Room or the Cabinet Room, Trump tends to dedicate much of his time within the confines of the Oval Office and its smaller adjacent spaces like the dining area.

Up until now, all modifications made during this term have focused on updating the decor. However, during his initial tenure, Trump oversaw significant refurbishments of the Oval Office as well as various spaces throughout the West Wing. These improvements, costing approximately $1.75 million, were finalized while he enjoyed time off at his resort in Bedminster, New Jersey.

"We discovered gold hidden behind the walls; I was certain we would. The renovations turned out splendid," Trump stated. TIME Magazine next. "Recall how diligently they worked? Their aim was to please me."

Even as the two-month mark of his return to power approaches, Trump is still adding new pieces of décor or memorabilia to the Oval Office. Some are rotating. Others seem to be on more permanent display.

Behind his desk rests a gleaming gold copy of the FIFA World Cup Trophy, referred to as the Jules Rimet Trophy. Trump frequently discusses the upcoming World Cup, scheduled for July throughout North America, with most games set to be held in the U.S.

Dan Scavino, the deputy White House chief of staff and one of the most senior assistants to the president, has been serving for an extended period. posts infrequent changes Trump has implemented.

“Every president has a right to decorate the Oval Office,” a former White House official who has worked for Democratic and Republican administrations, told 5.180.24.3. “But his décor is so weirdly un-presidential, it’s more king-like.”

He’s removed some of the room’s more iconic features, including the tufts of Swedish ivy that used to sit above the fireplace. The plants are descended from cuttings originally gifted to John F. Kennedy by the Irish ambassador to the US. On the mantle now are seven gold artifacts, arranged in a row flanking a tall empire-style centerpiece.

Plain wooden side tables have been superseded by more extravagant, marble-topped consoles featuring bases adorned with gilded eagles supporting bronze busts of Martin Luther King Jr. and Winston Churchill.

Pictures blanket a table situated behind Trump’s desk, featuring images of his mother among others. The Resolute Desk, presented as a gift by Queen Victoria and made from wood sourced from an old Arctic expedition ship, underwent renovation work recently. In the meantime, a more compact desk is being used instead.

Adjacent to it, a sign displaying the body of water he has redubbed as the "Gulf of America" stands fixed on an easel. Golden goblets are placed in niches above the windows and along the walls.

A weighty golden paperweight rests on the coffee table, featuring the presidential seal etched on one side and the word "TRUMP" embossed on another. Occasionally, some visitors have utilized it as a makeshift coaster.

Furthermore, additional items might still appear. The president frequently uses his weekend stays at Mar-a-Lago to return with fresh additions for prominent display in the Oval Office or elsewhere within the White House. This often happens when he travels back on board Air Force One.

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