In a dazzling display of opulence, Donald Trump has revealed a gleaming collection of gold he claims to have brought into the White House.
Why It Matters
Trump’s gold showcase is more than just a display of extravagance—every piece added to the room under Trump’s direction appears to have been carefully chosen to reflect his personal brand.
What to Know
In a recent exclusive tour of the Oval Office with Fox New host Laura Ingraham, Trump revealed the vast collection of gold items he claims to have brought into the historic residence during his time in office.
That includes gold vermeil figurines that sit on the mantle. Gold medallions rest sit atop the fireplace, while gilded Rococo mirrors are placed over the doors of the Oval Office, as well as gold eagles perched on side tables. Even the remote control for the television down the hall is wrapped in gilt.
Above the doorways, delicate gold cherubs peer down, which Trump was keen to display as a symbolic gesture. “It’s angels. They say angels bring good luck, and we need a lot of luck in this country with what they’ve done over the last four years,” he told Ingraham.
Trump also has a gold-stamped paperweight bearing his name in the Oval Office.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Even the accessories along the resolute desk reflect Trump’s fondness for the golden motif, with a gold-plated replica of the FIFA World Cup trophy sitting aside framed photos of Trump and his family, and what appears to be a golden urn supported by two cherub-like figures. However, this is more than just a decorative urn. White House historian Donald Meriam told Newsweek that it’s part of a larger set of fruit baskets from President James Monroe’s gilt service, acquired from France in 1817. Their move to the Oval Office represents a significant shift from their usual placement during White House tours.
Another feature of Trump’s Oval Office is the gold picture frames, which contain portraits of former presidents and American luminaries, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and Andrew Jackson.
It all makes for a White House increasingly reminiscent of Trump’s South Florida home, Mar-a-Lago.
Mandel NGAN / AFP/Getty Images
While it’s not uncommon for a new president to redecorate the Oval Office, images from prior administrations suggest Trump has made some of the most extensive changes to the room’s appearance in modern presidential history.
And he has even more plans for a revamp. Work is set to begin in the coming weeks on renovating the Rose Garden by replacing the grass with a patio-style seating area, reminiscent of the one he frequently uses at Mar-a-Lago. According to reports, the former president recently reviewed the redesign plans with White House curators.
Trump has reportedly shared his vision for the revamped outdoor space with visiting foreign leaders as they stroll along the South Portico.
Additionally, on the South Lawn, Trump aims to construct a new ballroom for hosting state dinners. The design is said to be inspired by the Mar-a-Lago ballroom, which itself draws influence from the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. Trump has long said he’ll pay for the construction himself.
“It keeps my real-estate juices flowing,” Trump told The Spectator recently of the prospective renovations. “But it’ll be beautiful.”
What People Are Saying
Peter Loge, director of George Washington University’s School of Media, told AFP: “President Trump is very good at playing the role of Donald Trump. The show is the point. Part of the show is the bling. It would be surprising if Trump did not remake the Oval Office into a TV set that reflected his brand.”
A former White House official, who has worked for Democratic and Republican administrations, told CNN: “Every president has a right to decorate the Oval Office. But his décor is so weirdly un-presidential, it’s more king-like.”
What Happens Next
It’s unclear if or when Trump’s project to further renovate the White House will go ahead.
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