The iconic Oval Office has once again become a stage for history as President Donald Trump steps into his second term with a dramatic overhaul of the world’s most exclusive workspace.
From meticulously curated portraits to the infamous Diet Coke button, every detail of the office reflects Trump’s penchant for symbolism, power, and spectacle.
In a feat of logistical choreography, the Oval Office underwent its makeover in just hours, coinciding with the transfer of power.
By 10:58am on Inauguration Day, the blue rug favored by President Joe Biden was replaced with a neutral one used during Trump’s first term.
Even the Resolute Desk – a steadfast centerpiece since 1880 – had to be partially disassembled to accommodate the swap.
Trump’s aides revealed the revamped space to The Wall Street Journal at around 3:30pm, giving Americans their first glimpse into the bold changes.
As Trump himself noted during an appearance in Washington, ‘The wars start and end there. Everything starts and ends at the Oval Office.’
The Oval Office’s carefully chosen artifacts tell a story of Trump’s admiration for transformative leaders.
The iconic Oval Office has once again become a stage for history as President Donald Trump steps into his second term with a dramatic overhaul of the world’s most exclusive workspace
President Donald Trump is back behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington D.C.
No detail of the Oval Office’s transformation has captured public imagination quite like the return of Trump’s ‘Diet Coke button’ – this time on the other side of the desk
Just as in 2017, a portrait of George Washington hangs over the fireplace. It is flanked by the country’s first Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton and the nation’s third president Thomas Jefferson.
A portrait of Andrew Jackson hangs prominently, a president whom Trump is said to be particularly fond of after he rode a populist wave and reshaped his party.
Unlike the version displayed during Trump’s first term which was on loan from the U.S. Naval Academy this portrait hails directly from the White House art collection.
Sitting beneath it is ‘The Bronco Buster’ by Frederic Remington, a sculpture symbolizing rugged determination, which also graced Trump’s office during his first term.
Trump also restored the bust of Winston Churchill to its original position near the fireplace, a choice that subtly underscores his affinity for strong leadership. Biden had moved the bust out of the office in 2021, as did Barack Obama.
A bust of Martin Luther King Jr. which both Biden and Trump displayed in the Oval Office remains.
Meanwhile, Biden’s additions, such as the bust of labor leader Cesar Chavez and a portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt, have now been removed.
However, one artifact from Biden’s era remains: the portrait of Benjamin Franklin.
The gold curtains that Trump installed during his first term, and that Biden also kept, remain
A painting for former President Andrew Jackson hangs in the Oval Office. Sitting beneath it is ‘The Bronco Buster’ by Frederic Remington, a sculpture symbolizing rugged determination, which also graced Trump’s office during his first term
A view of bookcase shelves in the Oval Office as President Donald Trump makes his return
A member of the staff holds executive orders as he stands in front of Abraham Lincoln’s portrait
Some of President Donald Trump’s family photos are on display including photos of his immigrant mother, Mary
The Resolute Desk – a steadfast centerpiece since 1880 – had to be partially disassembled to accommodate the change in carpets earlier on Monday
Originally added to symbolize Biden’s focus on science, the painting is staying joining Trump’s vision of continuity and legacy.
No detail of the Oval Office’s transformation has captured public imagination quite like the return of Trump’s ‘Diet Coke button.’
Positioned on the Resolute Desk, the button got a lot of use during Trump’s first term for summoning a valet with his preferred beverage of choice.
Its reappearance is a reminder of Trump’s unorthodox approach to the presidency.
The famous desk itself it made from white oak and mahogany timbers from HMS Resolute, a British naval ship that was used to explore the arctic.
The gold curtains that Trump used during his first term stayed under Biden – and they still remain for Trump 2.0.
The Oval Office’s refreshed look underscores its dual role as a personal workspace and a global symbol of American power whether it be hosting foreign dignitaries, addressing the nation, or making pivotal decisions.
In a feat of logistical choreography, the Oval Office underwent its makeover in just hours, coinciding with the transfer of power from Joe Biden to Donald Trump
Trump loves Diet coke and drinks several glasses a day. Above a cup of the delicious soda on his desk in December 2018
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino watch as President Donald Trump speaks to journalists in the Oval Office
Flanked by five military flags representing each service branch, the room’s decor echoes themes of strength and unity. They had been removed during Biden’s term.
Silver eagle figures now adorn the mantel, their gleaming presence reinforcing the grandeur of the office.
Photographs of Trump’s family – including formal portraits of his eldest children and a touching image of his wife Melania holding their son Barron as a baby – offer a glimpse into the personal side of the president.
Like his predecessors, Trump’s choices in decor speak volumes about his administration’s values and aspirations.
While President Obama favored striped wallpaper and a bowl of apples, Trump’s version of the Oval Office emphasizes boldness and tradition.
In 2018, the Diet Coke button was at the other side of his desk
Trump, a known soda fanatic, reportedly drank up to 12 cans of Diet Coke per day during his first term as commander-in-chief
The controversial Winston Churchill bust (above circled in red) was returned to the Oval Office by Donald Trump after both Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Pictured here in September 2019
Joe Biden’s Oval Office on the day he took the presidency in January 2021
Donald Trump’s Oval Office furnishings which are similar to now
Workers move bags that say ‘Unclassified Only’ and paintings out of the White House as Biden prepared to leave
A moving truck is seen outside the West Wing at the White House
The striped wallpaper was replaced early in Trump’s first term with a white patterned wall covering he selected himself, and it remains a fixture in his second term.
The redecoration of the Oval Office is more than an aesthetic exercise; it’s a statement of identity.
‘We love the Oval Office,’ Trump said on Monday during his appearance at the Capital One Arena in downtown D.C. ‘The wars start and end there. Everything starts and ends at the Oval Office.’
For Trump, it means showcasing a blend of historical reverence and personal flair that mirrors his approach to governance.
