The iconic Oval Office has once again become a stage for history as President Donald Trump enters his second term with a dramatic overhaul of the world's most exclusive workspace.
From carefully 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 a makeover within hours, coinciding with the transfer of power.
At 10:58 a.m. on Inauguration Day, the blue carpet favored by President Joe Biden was replaced with a neutral carpet used during Trump's first term.
Even the Resolute Desk – a permanent focal point since 1880 – had to be partially dismantled to make the exchange possible.
Trump's aides unveiled the revamped space to The Wall Street Journal around 3:30 p.m., giving Americans their first glimpse of the bold changes.
As Trump himself noted during an appearance in Washington: “The wars begin and end there. Everything starts and ends in the Oval Office.”
The Oval Office's carefully chosen artifacts tell a story about Trump's admiration for transformative leaders.
The iconic Oval Office has once again become a stage for history as President Donald Trump enters 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 DC
No detail of the Oval Office transformation has captured the public imagination as much as the return of Trump's 'Diet Coke button' – this time on the other side of the desk
Just like in 2017, a portrait of George Washington hangs above the fireplace. It is flanked by the nation's first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, and the nation's third president, Thomas Jefferson.
Prominently hanging is a portrait of Andrew Jackson, a president Trump is said to be particularly fond of after riding a populist wave and reshaping his party.
Unlike the version shown during Trump's first term and on loan from the US Naval Academy, this portrait comes straight from the White House art collection.
Below that is Frederic Remington's 'The Bronco Buster', a sculpture symbolizing rugged determination that also graced Trump's office during his first term.
Trump also restored the bust of Winston Churchill to its original position by the fireplace, a choice that subtly underlines his affinity for strong leadership. Biden had the bust moved out of the office in 2021, as did Barack Obama.
A bust of Martin Luther King Jr. still stands there. which both Biden and Trump displayed in the Oval Office.
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 golden curtains that Trump installed during his first term and that Biden also maintained remain in place
A painting for former President Andrew Jackson hangs in the Oval Office. Beneath it sits Frederic Remington's 'The Bronco Buster', a sculpture symbolizing rugged determination that also graced Trump's office during his first term
A view of bookcase shelves in the Oval Office as President Donald Trump returns
A member of the staff holds executive orders while standing in front of the portrait of Abraham Lincoln
There are some family photos of President Donald Trump on display, including photos of his immigrant mother Mary
The Resolute Desk – a permanent focal point since 1880 – had to be partially dismantled to accommodate the change in carpets earlier on Monday
Originally added to symbolize Biden's focus on science, the painting continues to align with Trump's vision of continuity and legacy.
No detail of the Oval Office transformation has captured the public imagination more than the return of Trump's “Diet Coke button.”
The button, located on the Resolute Desk, was widely used during Trump's first term to summon a clerk with his favorite drink of choice.
Its return is a reminder of Trump's unorthodox approach to the presidency.
The famous desk itself was made from white oak and mahogany wood from the HMS Resolute, a British naval ship used to explore the Arctic.
The golden curtains that Trump used during his first term remained under Biden – and that still applies to Trump 2.0.
The Oval Office's updated look underscores its dual role as a personal workspace and a global symbol of American power, whether hosting foreign dignitaries, addressing the nation or making critical decisions.
In a feat of logistical choreography, the Oval Office underwent a makeover within hours, coinciding with the transition of power from Joe Biden to Donald Trump.
Trump likes Diet Coke and drinks several glasses a day. Above a cup of delicious soft drink on his desk in December 2018
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Deputy White House Chief of Staff Dan Scavino watch as President Donald Trump addresses reporters in the Oval Office
Flanked by five military flags representing each branch of service, the room's décor reflects themes of strength and unity. They had been removed during Biden's term.
Silver eagle figures now adorn the mantelpiece and their gleaming presence enhances the grandeur of the office.
Photos 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 president's personal side.
Like his predecessors, Trump's decor choices speak volumes about the values and ambitions of his administration.
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 on the other side of his desk
The controversial bust of Winston Churchill (circled in red above) 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 became president in January 2021
Donald Trump's Oval Office furniture, similar to today
Workers move bags reading “Unclassified Only” and paintings out of the White House as Biden prepared to leave
A moving truck can be seen outside the West Wing at the White House
The striped wallpaper was replaced early in Trump's first term with a white patterned wallcovering of his own choosing, and it remains a fixture in his second term.
The redesign of the Oval Office is more than an aesthetic exercise; it is a statement of identity.
“We love the Oval Office,” Trump said Monday during his appearance at the Capital One Arena in downtown DC. 'The wars begin and end there. Everything starts and ends in the Oval Office.”
For Trump, this means demonstrating a mix of historical reverence and personal flair that reflects his approach to governance.
