Within hours of being sworn in as President of the United States for a second term, Donald Trump orchestrated a swift transformation of the iconic Oval Office.
According to Daily Mail, the revamped office space has sparked controversy due to the removal of Robert F. Kennedy's bust, despite Trump nominating Kennedy's son, Robert Kennedy Jr., as Secretary of Health and Human Services.
The extensive makeover involved replacing Biden's deep blue rug with a cream-colored one previously used during Trump's first term and Ronald Reagan's presidency.
The gold curtains, originally installed during Bill Clinton's administration and maintained through both Biden and Trump's first term, remain unchanged. The transformation also included the strategic placement of Trump family photographs and the reinstallation of his famous Diet Coke button.
The redesigned office prominently features a portrait of President Andrew Jackson between two military flags, sourced from the White House art collection rather than the U.S. Naval Academy version displayed during Trump's first term.
A nearby bookshelf showcases a commemorative Jackson vase, reflecting Trump's well-documented admiration for the seventh president. The space also retains the bust of Martin Luther King Jr., maintaining a connection to civil rights history.
Winston Churchill's bust has made a notable return to the Oval Office after being removed during both Obama and Biden's presidencies. The reappearance of Frederic Remington's "The Bronco Buster" sculpture adds to the array of returning artwork. However, the bust of labor leader Cesar Chavez, displayed during Biden's tenure, has been removed.
The redesign includes portraits of founding fathers George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Alexander Hamilton strategically placed around the fireplace. A portrait of Abraham Lincoln now hangs on the opposite side of the Resolute desk, while Franklin Roosevelt's portrait, prominently featured during Biden's presidency, has been removed.
The president's personal area behind the Resolute desk showcases an array of family photographs in gold frames, including images of his late parents. Challenge coins from various states and agencies are displayed on a nearby table, symbolizing connections to military and law enforcement departments.
The Diet Coke button, a distinctive feature from Trump's first term, has been reinstalled. This unique addition allows the president to summon his favorite beverage at will, adding a personal touch to the formal setting. The swift return of this unconventional feature exemplifies Trump's characteristic approach to personalizing the presidential workspace.
These modifications were executed rapidly as part of the carefully orchestrated transition, with staff working efficiently to remove traces of the previous administration. The changes reflect both Trump's personal preferences and his administration's broader symbolic messaging.
The recent transformation of the Oval Office under President Trump's second term represents a significant shift in the White House's most recognized room. The careful selection and placement of historic artifacts, coupled with personal touches, creates a space that merges American presidential tradition with Trump's individual style.
The modifications, completed just hours after the inauguration, demonstrate the ongoing evolution of this historic space, where crucial national decisions will be made over the next four years. The changes, particularly the removal of the RFK bust despite family connections, highlight the complex interplay between personal preference and political symbolism in shaping the president's workspace.
