As President Donald Trump continues his ambitious efforts to reshape the federal government, he is also making waves in the world of presidential tradition. One of his most dramatic changes is occurring in the very heart of the White House: the Oval Office.
A space that has been a symbol of authority and a reflection of past presidents’ tastes, the Oval Office under Trump’s tenure is taking on a new look—one that’s far more extravagant and imbued with Trump’s signature style.
Since returning to office after his re-election, Trump has made it clear that he wants to leave his mark on the Oval Office. Nearly eight weeks into his return, the changes are already evident, and the office is now a space that feels more akin to a lavish mansion than the dignified room most Americans have come to associate with the presidency.
One of the most notable changes is the rapid increase in the number of paintings on the walls. Trump has tripled the number of artworks hanging in the Oval Office, each piece contributing to an environment that blends historical significance with personal flair.
But the real transformation is found in the abundance of gold that now permeates the room. Trump has long been known for his love of opulence and excess, and his vision for the Oval Office is no exception. The space is now a celebration of gilded luxury, with gold accents on nearly every surface.
From the new gold vermeil figurines on the mantle to the gold medallions adorning the fireplace, the room is an undeniable homage to wealth and grandeur. Gold eagles now sit atop side tables, and Rococo mirrors with gilded frames reflect the room’s opulent aesthetic. Even the remote control for the television, an everyday object that would usually blend into the background, is wrapped in gold leaf, further cementing the theme of extravagance.
Trump's love of gold is not just confined to his office. The renovations he has brought to the White House extend beyond the Oval Office, as he continues to infuse his personal style into the very fabric of the building.
The White House is quickly becoming a reflection of Trump’s lifestyle, with design elements that mirror the aesthetic of his private residences, especially his South Florida home, Mar-a-Lago. The similarities are becoming more and more apparent, with Trump’s luxurious tastes bleeding into the public spaces of the White House.
In one of his boldest moves, Trump is planning a complete overhaul of the Rose Garden, a historically significant area designed by first lady Ellen Wilson. The plan is to transform the space into a patio-style seating area, one that mirrors the design of the spaces Trump enjoys at Mar-a-Lago. This new vision for the Rose Garden reflects Trump’s desire to recreate the familiar environment of his personal estate within the walls of the White House.
According to reports, Trump has personally reviewed the plans for this transformation, consulting with White House curators to ensure that the redesign aligns with his vision. The changes to the Rose Garden will, no doubt, provide a new backdrop for Trump’s interactions with visiting dignitaries and foreign leaders, allowing him to put his personal stamp on another iconic area of the White House.
The grandeur of Trump’s vision extends to the South Lawn, where the president hopes to build a new ballroom for hosting state dinners. This new ballroom, inspired by the one at Mar-a-Lago, would be a modern take on the historic Hall of Mirrors at Versailles.
Trump’s fascination with European royalty and lavish palaces has been evident throughout his career, and the construction of a ballroom modeled after Versailles would be another way for Trump to infuse the White House with his signature sense of luxury.
Despite not yet moving forward with the project, Trump has already reviewed multiple blueprints and made adjustments to the designs. He’s even expressed his willingness to personally finance the construction, having previously offered to fund the project during the Obama administration.
For Trump, the process of transforming the White House has become a reflection of his real estate background. The president has often spoken about how his work in real estate keeps his “juices flowing,” and these renovations are a perfect outlet for his passions.
He sees the White House as an ongoing project, one that he can continuously refine and shape according to his vision. Whether or not the ballroom project will come to fruition remains unclear, but Trump’s commitment to making the White House a reflection of his personal brand is undeniable.
He has consistently referred to the upcoming changes as something that will be “beautiful,” a fitting description for the lavish plans he has in mind.
This transformation of the White House under Trump’s leadership is a striking departure from the more modest and restrained designs that have characterized previous administrations. In the past, the Oval Office has been a place where presidents have sought to convey authority, trustworthiness, and the gravitas of the office.
Under Trump, however, the emphasis seems to be on spectacle, luxury, and the lavish trappings of wealth. The presence of gold in the Oval Office and other parts of the White House sends a clear message about Trump’s priorities, both in terms of personal style and the legacy he wants to create during his time in office.
This focus on extravagance is not without controversy. Critics have long accused Trump of being out of touch with the everyday struggles of the American people, and the lavish renovations he is undertaking may only serve to fuel those critiques.
At a time when many Americans are grappling with economic uncertainty and political division, the president’s obsession with opulence may seem tone-deaf to some. For others, however, the lavish redesigns represent a break from tradition and a bold assertion of Trump’s brand.
In the end, Trump’s alterations to the Oval Office and the White House are about more than just decor—they are a reflection of his broader approach to leadership. The president has long seen himself as a businessman and brand, and his decision to transform the White House into a personal monument to wealth and success underscores his belief that the presidency should be an extension of his own image.
Whether or not this transformation will resonate with the American public remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Trump’s White House is unlike any other in history. The gold, the statues, the chandeliers, and the grand designs are all part of a vision that is unmistakably his own—a vision that will continue to define his time in office and perhaps even the legacy he leaves behind.