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Donald Trump pledged a new "Golden Era" for America. At the very least, he has kept this promise within the Oval Office through an opulent redecoration.
The Republican has adorned the hallowed halls of the U.S. presidency with golden trophies and gold-plated, Trump-labeled coasters, covering nearly all empty spaces on the walls with paintings of past presidents.
Nearly every day brings some fresh development. This week, Trump put up a copy of the Declaration of Independence — the historical document marking America’s liberation from the British monarchy 250 years ago.
Far more than during his first term, it's as if the 78-year-old former reality TV star and billionaire property mogul is creating something that is part-studio and part-exclusive real estate.
"President Trump excels at portraying himself as Donald Trump," said Peter Loge, who directs George Washington University's School of Media, to AFP.
The performance is central. A key part of this performance involves flashy elements. It wouldn’t be unexpected if Trump transformed the Oval Office into a television backdrop that mirrored his personal branding.
Presidential portraits
However, beneath Trump's frantic redecorating lies a significant political statement.
The Oval Office stands as the foremost emblem of American authority, often serving as the setting for his regular press briefings and televised encounters with international leaders — such as the recent confrontation between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Thus, it came as no surprise when the collection of presidential portraits welcomed a new member: James Polk, who served as president in the 19th century.
During Polk's presidency, the 11th US president, the country experienced its most significant era of territorial growth, acquiring large portions of the West Coast, the Southwest, and Texas.
This act served as an obvious symbol of political intent during a period when Trump is unsettling allies with his statements regarding the potential annexation of Greenland, reclaiming control of the Panama Canal, and asserting dominance over Gaza.
'Would Biden do this?'
Every president chooses much of their decorations from comparable sources like the White House art collection, yet they still manage to add a distinctively personal flair to the Oval Office.
The contrast with Donald Trump’s democratic predecessor, Joe Biden, couldn’t be more pronounced — something the 46th president is acutely conscious of.
"Don't you believe Joe Biden would handle this differently?" Trump asked on Tuesday as he drew back the curtains protecting the Declaration of Independence during an interview with Fox News Channel’s “The Ingraham Angle.”
Biden's Oval was a relative model of restraint with five portraits around the famed fireplace, including wartime president Franklin D. Roosevelt's directly above the hearth.
Trump owns nine properties -- not to mention those close to his office, such as the iconic Republican figure Ronald Reagan's possessions.
Although Biden featured an extensive Swedish ivy plant believed to date back to John F. Kennedy on his mantle, Trump displays seven elaborate gold-plated vases, with some being over two centuries old.
While both Trump and Biden showcased a bust of civil rights icon Martin Luther King, Trump reintroduced the bust of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill from his first term.
Framed mugshot
The extravagant showmanship shouldn’t be surprising from a person who launched their initial presidential campaign by stepping down a gilded staircase at Trump Tower in New York.
The wealthy tycoon has consistently labeled numerous items with his name, ranging from structures to religious texts.
Trump’s transformation seldom hesitates to promote his personal brand and portray an aura of strength, which have been key elements of his political journey.
Lately, an item that has remained permanently on exhibit is a sizable map labeling the "Gulf of America," a term introduced by the Trump administration as a renaming of the Gulf of Mexico.
It is said that Trump even plans to replace the well-known Rose Garden, which overlooks the Oval Office, with something more akin to the patio-style setting of his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida.
However, one of Trump's most proud additions is an unusually unconventional portrait positioned close to those of his distinguished ancestors.
Just beyond the Oval Office, enclosed in a golden frame, is a photograph of Trump — specifically, his 2023 booking photo as seen on the front page of a gossip magazine. This image captures him at the time he was charged in Georgia for purported efforts to obstruct the 2020 presidential election.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
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