Donald Trump’s White House: A Versailles-Inspired Makeover
Donald Trump, like every president, made major changes to the White House upon starting his second term. He transformed the Oval Office with lavish details, giving it a Versailles-like vibe. Alongside this, a new portrait of Trump replaced Hillary Clinton’s official First Lady portrait — but one detail in the painting caught everyone’s attention.
The White House: More Than Just a Residence
The White House serves as the president’s home and workplace. It holds numerous rooms, including secretive spaces like the Situation Room. On Inauguration Day, a hectic five-hour transition unfolds as one president moves out and the other moves in. Furniture, personal items, food, and artwork all switch hands quickly and efficiently.
Joe Biden appointed Chief Usher Robert B. Downing to oversee the 2025 transition. Managing such a chaotic day demands precision and coordination. Matthew Costello, a senior White House historian, called it “chaotic, but very coordinated.”
Blair House: The Traditional Pre-Inauguration Stay
Presidents-elect usually spend the night before inauguration at Blair House, a 119-room complex across from the White House. There, plans for the big move solidify. Kate Andersen Brower, author of The Residence, explains that the usher contacts the president-elect’s team well in advance to arrange details like bedding and food preferences.
For Trump’s second term, planning went smoothly. Brower told ABC News that despite a four-year gap, staff already knew his preferences inside out, making preparations easier.
Gold Overload in the Oval Office
Trump’s second term brought a striking update to the Oval Office—gold everywhere. CNN described the space as covered in gilded decor: gold figurines, medallions, eagles, Rococo mirrors, and even a gold-wrapped TV remote. Some gold cherubs even came straight from Mar-a-Lago. The lavishness marked a sharp departure from previous designs.
Credit : Chip Somodevilla/Getty
A New Portrait and Surprising Signature
While the White House was ready for Trump’s arrival in January, updates continue throughout the year. Recently, Trump replaced Hillary Clinton’s official First Lady portrait with one of Republican Patricia Nixon in the East Wing.
Between the portraits hangs Trump’s new painting, overlaid with the American flag. Sharp-eyed observers noticed the artist’s signature: “MAGA Angelo.” This artist also created similar portraits of Melania Trump and Ronald Reagan.
Standing Out Among Classics
Trump’s portrait stands out against the White House’s classic art collection. Despite its bold style, Trump believes it suits the White House perfectly and has found a great home there.