Leo Martínez
Former US President Donald Trump is known for his love of gold and maximalism, which he brought to the Oval Office during his presidency. Trump's redecoration of the Oval Office included adding an unprecedented number of artworks, including portraits of former presidents such as Ronald Reagan, Teddy Roosevelt, and Martin Van Buren. The office also featured paintings of Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and Andrew Jackson, as well as a bronze bust of Winston Churchill. Trump's aesthetic choices were criticised by some as being in poor taste, with the office described as a rococo hellscape.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Paintings/Portraits | George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Andrew Jackson, Alexander Hamilton, Teddy Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, Martin Van Buren |
| Style | Gold frames, closely arranged |
| Other features | Bronze bust of Winston Churchill, MLK bust, military flags for each service branch, gold embellishments, gold curtains |
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What You'll Learn
Trump's love of gold
US President Donald Trump's penchant for gold is well-known, with the colour featuring heavily in the decor of his properties, including the Trump Tower penthouse in New York City and the Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida. So, it is perhaps no surprise that he has brought his love of gold to the Oval Office, adding gold embellishments to the walls, ceiling trim, and fireplace mantle, as well as keeping the gold curtains and gold-framed paintings that were present during his first term.
Trump's taste for gold and opulence has been described as a "blinged-out", "gilded rococo hellscape", a far cry from the traditionally minimalist aesthetic of the Oval Office. The space now echoes the interiors of his other residences, with a parade of golden objects adorning the mantel and a gallery of closely arranged, gold-framed paintings of past American luminaries, including Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and Andrew Jackson.
Trump's affinity for gold extends beyond the Oval Office, with reports of gold coasters on his desk and a square gold paperweight embossed with his name. This love of gold is also reflected in his choice of artwork, with a preference for portraits of former presidents, including Ronald Reagan, a figure he has long admired.
Trump's use of gold in the Oval Office is not just about personal taste; it is symbolic of his wealth and power. Gold is often associated with luxury, prestige, and success, and by surrounding himself with it, Trump is sending a clear message about his status and influence. It is a way for him to project an image of opulence and grandeur, reflecting his personal brand and setting him apart from other presidents.
Trump's redecoration of the Oval Office, particularly his addition of gold details, has been met with criticism and controversy. Some have described it as a "nightmare", a stark contrast to the more minimalist approaches of previous presidents.
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Paintings of past presidents
Former US President Donald Trump has been criticised for his redecoration of the Oval Office, which has been described as a gilded rococo hellscape. Trump's redesign of the traditionally minimalist space reflects his personal brand and includes an expanded gallery of portraits of past American luminaries.
Trump has added portraits of past presidents, including a large painting of former President Ronald Reagan, a figure Trump has long admired. Reagan's portrait hangs below a painting of Andrew Jackson, whom Trump is also fond of due to their shared political backgrounds. Jackson's portrait was the backdrop of an Oval Office ceremony in 2017 where Trump honoured Navajo Code Talkers, which was criticised by some Native American leaders.
Above the fireplace hangs a portrait of George Washington by Charles Willson Peale, replacing a smaller version that once hung there. The walls are now crowded with closely arranged, gold-framed paintings of Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and Alexander Hamilton, with a bust of Winston Churchill on display. Trump has also added the flags of the Army, the Marine Corps, and the Navy, as well as military flags for each service branch.
Trump's redecoration of the Oval Office extends beyond the addition of paintings of past presidents. He has added gold embellishments to the walls, ceiling trim, and fireplace mantle, matching the gold curtains that were present during Biden's presidency. Trump also replaced Biden's rug, which featured the presidential seal, with his own rug from his first term, which includes the presidential seal, a sunbeam pattern, and olive branches along the border as a symbol of peace.
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Busts of historical figures
Former US President Donald Trump has been criticised for his redecoration of the Oval Office, which has been described as "lavish" and "filled with gold flourishes". Trump's redesign of the space is said to reflect his "personal brand".
Trump has added busts of historical figures to the Oval Office, including a bronze bust of Winston Churchill, which was returned to the Oval during Trump's first term, removed by Biden, and then reinstated by Trump during his second term. The bust of Churchill sits to the right of the fireplace, with a bust of Martin Luther King Jr. on the opposite side.
Trump's inclusion of the Churchill bust in the Oval Office is notable due to the sculpture's complicated past. Additionally, the presence of the MLK bust in the Oval Office is steeped in controversy. In the early days of Trump's first term, it was incorrectly reported that he had removed the MLK bust, creating an uproar. However, the reporter later acknowledged that he had simply failed to see it, although the erroneous report is said to have irked Trump for weeks.
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Military flags
Donald Trump has transformed the Oval Office with his personal brand of ornate, lavish gold decor. Trump has added gold embellishments to the walls, ceiling trim, and fireplace mantle, reflecting the interiors of his signature Trump Tower in New York and his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
Trump has also added various paintings and portraits to the Oval Office, including a Charles Willson Peale portrait of George Washington above the fireplace, replacing a smaller version. The walls now feature closely arranged, gold-framed paintings of Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and Andrew Jackson, leaving little empty space. Trump has also added a large painting of former President Ronald Reagan, a figure he has long admired, as well as portraits of Teddy Roosevelt, Martin Van Buren, and other former presidents.
Trump has also returned a bronze bust of Winston Churchill to the Oval Office, along with a sculpture called "The Bronco Buster" by Frederic Remington. On the opposite side of the fireplace remains a bust of Martin Luther King Jr.
In terms of flags, Trump has put back the military flags for each service branch in the Oval Office, including the flags of the Army, the Marine Corps, and the Navy. These flags had been removed during Biden's term.
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Trump's personal brand
Former US President Donald Trump's personal brand is often associated with opulence, maximalism, and gold. This is reflected in his transformation of the Oval Office, which has been described as a "gilded rococo hellscape." Trump's love of gold is evident in the gold embellishments he added to the walls, ceiling trim, and fireplace mantle of the Oval Office. The gold flourishes are reminiscent of the interiors of his Trump Tower penthouse in New York City and his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, both of which are known for their gilded details.
Trump's brand is also characterised by a focus on past American luminaries, particularly those who he admires. The Oval Office features a gallery of portraits of former presidents and notable figures, including a large painting of former President Ronald Reagan, whom Trump has long admired. Other portraits include those of Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Andrew Jackson, George Washington, and Alexander Hamilton. The inclusion of these portraits may be a way for Trump to align himself with these historical figures and evoke a sense of tradition and respect for the past.
Trump's brand extends beyond the Oval Office, as he has also made changes to other areas of the White House. He has installed stone tiles in the Rose Garden, turning it into a patio. Trump's attention to detail and desire to leave his mark on the White House reflect a consistent approach to branding and self-promotion.
Overall, Trump's personal brand can be described as extravagant, traditionalist, and controversial. His transformation of the Oval Office and other areas of the White House is a powerful expression of his taste for grandeur and his desire to shape the American presidency in his image.
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Frequently asked questions
Trump hung a gallery wall of paintings of past American luminaries, including a large painting of former President Ronald Reagan, whom Trump long admired. He also hung portraits of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, Andrew Jackson, Teddy Roosevelt, and Martin Van Buren.
Trump brought his love of maximalism and gold to the Oval Office. He added gold embellishments to the walls, ceiling trim, and fireplace mantle. He replaced the rug and presidential portrait choices. He also returned a bronze bust of Winston Churchill to the Oval Office.
The Oval Office was traditionally minimalist. During Barack Obama's time in office, the walls were covered in striped wallpaper. Joe Biden, who preceded Trump, opted for cream-coloured wallpaper and gold curtains.
The reaction to Trump's redecoration of the Oval Office was largely negative. One article in the New York Times described it as a "gilded rococo hellscape". Another article in Business Insider noted that Trump's redecoration was "looking a little bit different".
Yes, Trump made changes to the White House decor beyond the Oval Office. He swapped out Joe Biden's rug, which featured the presidential seal, with his own rug from his first term in office. He also added flags of the Army, Marine Corps, and Navy to the White House, as well as a sculpture called "The Bronco Buster" by Frederic Remington.
