As President Donald Trump began his term, the Oval Office, the official workspace of the president in the White House, has also undergone a new Director General. The Oval Office serves as a symbolic space that represents 'America's strength' when the president meets foreign leaders, and it reflects the philosophy and values of each new president upon their inauguration.
On the 20th (local time), The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported, "Right after the inauguration ceremony, Trump's aides revealed" the Oval Office that President Trump would use in his second term. WSJ pointed out that the most noticeably changed aspect of Trump's Oval Office is the appearance of the portrait of Andrew Jackson, the 37th president of the United States. Although the portrait of Andrew Jackson was also hung during Trump's first term, it is reported that this time a newly sourced piece from the White House art collection has been used. The president can lend items from the White House collection and the Smithsonian's possessions. WSJ noted, "President Trump particularly likes Jackson, who rebirthed the party in his image after coming to power on a wave of populism and anti-establishment sentiment."
The large portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt that hung during former President Biden's term is gone. The bust of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill has reappeared, and a silver eagle decoration, which corresponds to the national bird of the United States, has been newly added above the fireplace. The bust of Winston Churchill was placed near the fireplace during President Trump's first term. It was removed after former President Biden took office but has returned this time.
The portrait of Benjamin Franklin that former President Biden hung in the Oval Office has been maintained. Previously, former President Biden hung the portrait of Benjamin Franklin in the Oval Office to symbolize the administration's focus on science, which President Trump decided to keep unchanged. The flags of each military branch, removed during the Biden administration, have been hung in the Oval Office again.
In addition to paintings and sculptures, presidents often express themselves through other details. In President Trump's Oval Office, his iconic "Diet Coke button" has re-emerged. President Trump is famous for having a red soda button on his desk during his first term. It is said that every time President Trump pressed the button, aides brought him a soda, as he was known to drink about 12 cans of Diet Coke a day. Afterward, former President Joe Biden removed the soda button and placed chocolate chip cookies outside the office, but the soda button has returned to the desk. Former President Barack Obama was known to like placing apples on the coffee table near the fireplace.
The Oval Office plays an important role as it symbolizes the philosophy and values of each administration, going beyond being just a workspace. This is because the Oval Office is used for meetings with foreign leaders, discussions with congressional leaders, and for addressing the nation during historical moments. Each president personalizes the Oval Office, tending to select artworks and artifacts that reflect their values and goals. WSJ explained that the Oval Office serves as a reminder of changes in the administration each time a new president takes office.
The redesign of the Oval Office when the presidency changes occurs within a matter of hours. To ensure the new president can use it immediately after the inauguration, changes start before the prior president's term ends. This time, WSJ reported that tasks such as replacing the carpet in the Oval Office began about an hour before President Trump's term officially commenced.