President Trump has been making some changes to the Oval Office’s fireplace area. One of the first victims of this changeover was the famous Swedish ivy which President John F. Kennedy had received as a gift from Irish ambassador Thomas J. Kiernan in 1961, and which has since served as the backdrop for some of the most well-known White House public highlights, such as George H.W. Bush’s casual chat with Bruce Willis and Nelson Mandela, Ronald Reagan’s meeting Gorbachev, and Jimmy Carter’s meeting with Yitzhak Rabin or just lunching with his wife, Rosalynn. The tenacious plant not only made it through Trump's first term, but was also a witness to the presidential transitional meeting between Trump and Joe Biden following the 2024 election. However after President Trump took office, this iconic plant was swiftly replaced with an array of seven golden artifacts, and it was not there even for the meeting that took place two days between President Trump and Micheál Martin, Ireland’s current prime minister.
Another item that has been replaced in this changeover is the small coffee table in front of the fireplace, which has been replaced with a more elaborate one with cabriole legs and a highly reflective lacquered top that is well suited to show off the golden presidential cigar box (which has Trump’s own name emblazoned on its side for all to see) together with a stack of what appear to be four golden coasters — the lacquered top as well as the coasters and cigar box all proudly display the presidential seal. In the meantime the chairs’ upholstery around the presidential coffee table has been replaced from Biden’s unassuming plain beige, to an elaborate sofa tapestry with a golden hue. Likewise Biden’s circular blue rug has also been replaced with a beige one, though the floral motif woven at the rug’s edge has apparently been retained.
Furthermore, as of 12th March, a large golden motif has been prominently affixed to the Oval Office’s marble mantelpiece. Furthermore, the fireplace’s glass cover (with its two metal handles) has been removed, a golden wooden log holder has been placed next to the fire grate, whilst some of the fireplace’s brickwork appears to have been scrubbed clean from the soot.
Whilst some slight modifications to suit personal tastes are expected when a new President assumes office, traditional Oval Office décor should not be recklessly cast aside, since the Oval Office should symbolise continuity and stability, rather than a veritable all-out assault on presidential norms.
