---
title: "Trump Renovates White House Oval Office with Gold Features"
url: https://noti.group/trump-renovates-white-house-oval-office-with-gold-features/
language: en
publisher: "Noti Group"
section: "World News"
published: 2026-11-06T04:29:25.000Z
updated: 2026-11-06T05:23:18.227Z
id: 325159ba-9c58-4dc2-abe9-78495eb60dc0
source: "BBC News World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmy0eeg101djo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/trump-renovates-white-house-oval-office-with-gold-features/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story."
---

# Trump Renovates White House Oval Office with Gold Features

US President Donald Trump has made significant changes to the White House Oval Office during his second term, including adding numerous gold features.

Trump, a businessman before entering politics, has taken a particular interest in the presidential office's aesthetic, transforming it into a space that reflects his own style and preferences.

In an announcement on Thursday, Trump stated that he wants the Oval Office to be preserved as a national monument, protected from any future changes that could alter its appearance or integrity.

This move comes after Trump oversaw the demolition of the White House East Wing, a project that has faced opposition in court and was ultimately approved by Congress despite these challenges.

The decision also highlights the current state of authority held by US presidents regarding alterations to the White House, with some changes requiring Congressional approval but others remaining within their discretion.

The changes made by Trump to the Oval Office have been met with praise from world leaders who have visited in recent months.

These cosmetic alterations include a large gold plaque bearing the room's name outside its entrance and the addition of a new helicopter pad on the grounds of the White House.

However, it is worth noting that some of these changes were necessary due to the building's state of disrepair before Trump took office. He described finding broken windows, cracked walls, and damaged stone upon entering the Oval Office.

The president has argued that his decision to intervene with renovations was driven by a desire to preserve the space for future generations.

The Oval Office has been exempt from certain preservation laws due to its status as a working presidential space. However, this exemption does not extend to the unique character of the room itself, which is considered a historic structure of national significance.

In order to accommodate changing needs and tastes, Congress granted an exception to the National Historic Preservation Act for the Oval Office. This means that while presidents are allowed to make changes to the space, they must do so in a way that preserves its historic integrity.

According to Greg Werkheiser, a lawyer specializing in historic preservation, temporary alterations like furniture and decor are generally within a president's discretion. However, any changes that damage the permanent art or architecture of the room should be avoided.

Werkheiser has expressed concerns about the Trump administration's approach to preserving historic sites in Washington DC. He notes that the administration has been involved in lawsuits aimed at undermining preservation laws, and has shown disregard for other historic landmarks in the city.

The Trump administration has been involved in lawsuits aimed at weakening preservation laws, and this move appears to be part of that broader strategy.

This is particularly evident when considering the president's own actions regarding historic sites in Washington DC. Despite his claims about preserving the Oval Office, his policies have shown a disregard for other landmarks in the city.

The president's stance on preservation seems contradictory, given his involvement in efforts to undermine laws protecting historic sites and his own redesigns of the White House that have been met with criticism from former President Barack Obama.

---
Source: [BBC News World](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmy0eeg101djo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss)  
Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/trump-renovates-white-house-oval-office-with-gold-features/