Trump Transforms Oval Office with Gold Decor in Second Term
Presidential workspace undergoes significant aesthetic changes since January
President Donald Trump has significantly redesigned the Oval Office during the first six months of his second term, incorporating extensive gold elements throughout the workspace. The redesign includes gold cherubs, medallions, frames, figurines, and various ornamental pieces that have been progressively added since January. The transformation represents a marked departure from the previous administration's more understated decor.
Foreign dignitaries including NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have conducted official meetings in the newly decorated space. During these bilateral discussions, President Trump has occasionally commented on the renovations, noting to Prime Minister Carney that the office was becoming "more and more beautiful with love" and "24-karat gold." The president has also mentioned overseeing additional White House renovation projects.
KEY POINTS
- •Gold decor dominates Oval Office
- •Foreign leaders meet in redesigned space
- •Trump personally overseeing changes
The current design features the Charles Willson Peale portrait of George Washington prominently displayed above the fireplace, surrounded by tightly arranged portraits of other American historical figures including Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Andrew Jackson, and Ronald Reagan. The mantelpiece now showcases gold vessels reportedly from President James Monroe's 1817 gilt service, typically displayed in the State Dining Room. Additional decorative elements include gold cherubs positioned above doorways and Rococo mirrors.
Some specific items in the redesigned office have garnered attention, including the Winston Churchill bronze bust that has been reinstated after being removed during the Biden administration. The space behind the Resolute Desk now features family photographs alongside what was initially a gold-plated replica of the FIFA World Cup trophy, later replaced with the actual FIFA Club World Cup trophy. President Trump has described the renovation efforts as keeping his "real-estate juices flowing," indicating his personal involvement in the White House redesign process.
The current maximalist aesthetic stands in stark contrast to the previous administration's more minimalist approach. When President Biden welcomed then President-elect Trump in November 2024, the Oval Office featured simple green ivy on the mantel and generously spaced portraits. The current design represents President Trump's distinctive personal style being applied to the most recognizable office in the United States government.