As President Donald Trump undertakes a sweeping transformation of the federal government, he’s also putting his unmistakable stamp on one of the presidency’s most iconic spaces: the Oval Office.
Just under two months into his return to office, the room has undergone a dramatic visual overhaul. The number of paintings on the walls has tripled, while shelves while shelves are now brimming with an eclectic mix of flags, statues, and decorative artifacts.
True to his signature flair, Trump has infused the space with opulence. Gleaming gold accents are everywhere — vermeil figurines perched on the mantle, ornate medallions adorning the fireplace, majestic gold eagles stationed on side tables, and extravagant Rococo mirrors glinting from the doors. Over the doorways, tiny golden cherubs imported from Mar-a-Lago peer down from their pedestals. Even the TV remote in the adjacent room now boasts a bushon gold finish.
At one point, Trump even considered installing a chandelier in the Oval Office, sources say —though that bold addition may remain a glimmering idea rather than reality.
The White House is more taking on the lavishfair of Trump’s South Florida estate. Soon, work is set to begin on his ambitious plans to overhaul the Rose Garden. The grass will be replaced with a sleek, patio-style area seating, mirroring the one at Mar-a-Lago where the president the frequently hosts guests. Trump reviewed recently the Rose Garden redesign with White House curators, making his personal touch is woven into every detail.
The president has also shared his vision for the outdoor space, originally designed by First Lady Ellen Wilson, with visiting dignitaries as they stroll along the South Portico, according to a member of a visiting delegation.
On the South Lawn, Trump envisions building a grand new ballroom for hosting state dinners, modeled after the one at Mar-a-Lago—an opulent space inspired by the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. Since taking office, he’s pored over several sets of blueprints, showing them off to visitors and making adjustments. Trump has long been forced to resist that he’ll personally fund the construction — he even offered to build it within the Obama administration. However, it remains uncertain whether this grand project will come to life on the historic grounds.
As Trump put it to The Spectator recently, “It keeps my real-estate juices flowing.” But it’ll be beautiful.”
The Oval Office has never looked more like Donald Trump’s domain — a curated blend of power, personality, and plenty of flair. Surrounded by an abundance of objects, curiosities, and art, Trump’s workspace bursts with energy and presence, a stark contrast to the more restrained décor of his predecessors. Minimalism has never been his style; instead, he thrives amid the visual chaos of trophies, memorabilia, papers, and carefully chosen art.
For Trump, an office is not just a place to work—it’s a stage. Long before his presidency, his Trump Tower office on the 26th floor was a gilded gallery of personal history, brimming with collectibles, framed magazine covers, and family photos. While the Oval Office is a touch more disciplined — especially his desk — it still carries echoes of that signature Trump aesthetic.
Every single item added to the Oval Office, no matter how minor, is handpicked by the president. Aides say Trump is deeply involved in the details, shaping the room to reflect his vision and presence.
As the symbolic heart of any administration, the Oval Office commands attention. But since Trump’s return two months ago, it’s become more than just the seat of executive power—it’s a central stage for diplomacy, ceremony, and media showmanship. It’s where he’s hosted world leaders — including a tense meeting with the Ukrainian Volodymyr Zelensky—sworn in Cabinet members, and fielded reporters’ questions nearly every day.
“Oh, what a great feeling,” Trump said from behind the Resolute Desk on Inauguration Day. “One of the better feelings I’ve ever had.”
His day usually starts before sunrise, dialing aides and allies from the residence as early as 6 a.m. to discuss news, TV segments, and the day’s agenda. By mid-morning—closer to 10 or 11 a.m.—he strides into a workspace that now resembles a richly appointed gallery.
Trump was certain of some portraits he wanted on the walls from day one. But he’s also flipped through countless laminated pages of potential additions from the national collection, weighing his choices carefully. Once he picks the historical figures—mostly presidents—mostly presidents former and revered statesmen—he turns to frame selection, often favoring rich, dark wood tones consistent with the décor at his other properties.
Today, nearly 20 portraits hang in the Oval Office — a personal hall of heroes. By contrast, Joe Biden’s Oval Office featuring six portraits, a relatively robust display compared to Barack Obama’s minimalist style, which just included two presidential portraits alongside modern works like two Edward Hoppers loaned from the Whitney Museum.
Dominating the space to Trump’s left as he sits behind the Resolute Desk is a commanding oil portrait of Ronald Reagan, its placement intentional and symbolic. Across the room, the fireplace is now crowned by a striking new centerpiece: an imposing 1776 portrait of George Washington by Charles Willson Peale, sword in hand — a bold replacement for the modest painting that hung there when Trump returned in January.
The walls of the Oval Office have become a tightly packed homage to American history. Almost every inch is filled with oil portraits of future and founding fathers, their gilded frames nearly touching as they compete for salaries. The effect is that of a grand gallery wall—densely curled intensely and nearly patriotic.
Among the assembled figures are Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Jackson, D. Roosevelt, and James K. Polk – the latter on loan from Capitol Hill. Each one now stands watch over the day-to-day works of the Trump presidency, a visual chorus of the past looking down on the present.
While many presidents have described the White House as a restrictive bubble, Donald Trump revels in its splendor—especially the grandeur of the Oval Office. Unlike past commanders-in-chief who often preferred holding meetings in the Roosevelt or Cabinet Rooms, Trump spends the majority of his day ensconced in the Oval and its nearby ante rooms, including the small private dining room.
So far, his latest term has focused on reimagining the office’s aesthetic. But during his first presidency, Trump oversaw a sweeping $1.75 million renovation of the Oval Office and other parts of the West Wing. The upgrades were completed while he vacationed at his Bedminster club in New Jersey.
“We found gold behind the walls, which I always knew,” Trump quipped to Time at the time. “Renovations are grand. Remember how hard they worked? They wanted to make me happy.”
Now, approaching the two-month milestone of his return to office, Trump continues to add new layers to the Oval Office décor. Some pieces rotate in and out, while others appear to have claimed permanent residence.
One particularly eye-catching item sits just behind his desk: a gleaming golden replica of the Jules Rimet Trophy — the original design of the FIFA World Cup. Trump frequently brings up the upcoming 2026 World Cup, set to take place across North America, with most matches held in the U.S. — an event he clearly sees as a national moment and a personal point of pride.
