What was once a symbol of calm governance is now starting to resemble a flashy monument to ego and excess.
When Donald Trump returned to the Oval Office, it didn’t take long for the décor to take a dramatic turn. Once a place associated with statesmanship and serious decision-making, the West Wing is now gradually morphing into a glittering gallery of gilded furniture and ornamental oddities—part luxury hotel lobby, part personal trophy museum.
1. Under Obama, Beige Was the Vibe
Barack Obama’s White House leaned into neutral tones—beige couches, beige carpets, beige wallpaper. It wasn’t exciting, but it was deliberate. The understated décor reflected a tone of calm professionalism. It may not have dazzled the eye, but it kept the focus on governance, not gold trim.
2. Biden’s Cool Blues and Greys Restored a Sense of Dignity
Joe Biden brought back classic, cool-toned elegance. With a palette of greys and blues reminiscent of earlier administrations like Clinton’s and Nixon’s, his Oval Office was formal but not flashy. It suggested humility and public service rather than personal pageantry.
3. Enter Trump: The Return of the Gold Rush
Brace yourself—the moment Trump reclaimed the office, restraint went out the window. Known for his love of all things gold and glossy, he began reshaping the space to reflect his trademark aesthetic. Think more penthouse than presidency. Subtlety was swapped for spectacle.
4. Gold-Eagle Furniture and Mirror-Mirror Walls
Gone are the simple, dark wooden tables. In their place: shiny golden side tables crowned with bronze busts of historical icons like Churchill and Martin Luther King Jr. The tables feature ornate eagle motifs and look straight out of a themed hotel suite. Matching golden-framed mirrors now occupy the curved doors, adding even more gleam to the already reflective atmosphere.
And let’s talk about that mantle—now covered in a set of flamboyant, mismatched vases. The effect? Less presidential charm, more school sports trophy case.
5. The Fireplace Makeover: Pure Excess
Biden’s unassuming, grey fireplace is barely recognizable. Trump has jazzed it up with shiny gold sconces—cheap-looking ones you could probably snag off Alibaba. Whether they’re glued, nailed, or hammered into place is anyone’s guess. Adding to the sensory overload are glimmering reupholstered chairs and random sconce placements that suggest more “showroom chaos” than design harmony.
6. A Table of Trinkets and Vanity Projects
At the center of the room sits a peculiar golden box, filled with gold coasters bearing the presidential seal and the words “TRUMP” and “47th.” A massive model of the redesigned Air Force One—a project Trump has long obsessed over—dominates the room’s focal table.
And behind the Resolute Desk? Even more clutter. A full-size replica of the Jules Rimet World Cup trophy inexplicably sits on display. Occasionally, even FIFA’s newer trophies show up—perfect for those into strange brand crossovers between politics and sports.
7. Outside the Office: A Mug Shot as Memorabilia
Right outside the Oval Office, in the waiting area, Trump has framed something that no other democratic leader has dared to: a front page of the New York Post featuring his mug shot. Captured during his arrest in Fulton County over alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election, the image now greets visitors like it’s a badge of honor.
