Trump brings the bling with Oval Office makeover

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Donald Trump has transformed the Oval Office into a dazzling showcase, fulfilling his promise of a "Golden Age" with a decor reflecting his signature flair. Gilded trophies, gold-plated Trump-branded coasters, and an abundance of presidential portraits now dominate the space, making it feel as much like a high-end TV set as the heart of American power.

The makeover is a stark contrast to his first term, with Trump now treating the Oval Office as part studio, part luxury real estate project. This week, he added a copy of the Declaration of Independence, a symbolic nod to America's break from the British monarchy 250 years ago. According to Peter Loge, director of George Washington University's School of Media, the spectacle is the point. "Trump is very good at playing the role of Donald Trump," he said.

Trump’s choice of decor carries a clear political message. The Oval Office serves as a powerful backdrop for his frequent press conferences and meetings with world leaders—most notably his tense encounter with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Among the many portraits now hanging is that of 19th-century president James Polk, who oversaw America's largest territorial expansion. The selection is no coincidence, given Trump’s recent remarks about annexing Greenland, reclaiming the Panama Canal, and taking control of Gaza.

Each president personalizes the Oval Office, but Trump’s redesign is a deliberate departure from his predecessor, Joe Biden. While Biden opted for a relatively modest setup with five portraits, Trump has filled nearly every available space, including a prominent placement for Ronald Reagan. Biden had a historic Swedish ivy plant linked to John F. Kennedy; Trump replaced it with seven ornate gilded vessels. He also reinstated a bust of Winston Churchill, which he had displayed during his first term.

Trump's branding is unmistakable throughout the space. A large map renaming the "Gulf of Mexico" to the "Gulf of America" remains on display, and reports suggest he plans to pave over the Rose Garden to make it resemble the patio of Mar-a-Lago. Perhaps the most unconventional addition, however, is the gold-framed mugshot of Trump himself, taken in Georgia in 2023 after he was booked for allegedly attempting to interfere in the 2020 election.

True to his style, Trump has turned the Oval Office into a statement—not just of power, but of the spectacle that defines his political persona.