Explosive revelations from a soon-to-be-published memoir have pulled back the curtain on Donald Trump's singular decorative ambition for the White House: a complete, gilded transformation of the Oval Office.
According to extracts obtained by The Daily Mail from Stephanie Grisham's book 'I'll Take Your Questions Now', the former President was deeply unimpressed by the historic and understated elegance of the world's most famous office. He reportedly described the iconic Resolute Desk, a gift from Queen Victoria and used by countless presidents, as "cheap-looking" and expressed a desire for something far more opulent.
The Allure of Gold Leaf
Grisham, who served as White House press secretary and communications director, details how Trump was captivated by the lavish, gold-heavy aesthetic of France's Palace of Versailles and Louis XIV's style. He allegedly instructed aides to research how to apply gold leaf to the office's intricate cornicing to achieve a similarly regal effect.
This was not a passing fancy. The memoir claims Trump repeatedly pressured then-Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney and other senior officials to greenlight the extravagant makeover, pushing for a look that would be unmistakably and extravagantly Trump.
A Presidency of Pageantry
These revelations paint a picture of a president intensely focused on the power of imagery and symbolism. The desired gold overhaul aligns with Trump's well-documented preference for glitzy, luxurious interiors, famously seen in his private residences and properties.
Grisham's account suggests that for Trump, the Oval Office's traditional decor did not project the level of power and success he wished to convey. His vision was for a space that was grander, shinier, and more overtly luxurious—a direct reflection of his personal brand.
While the grandiose golden office ultimately remained a concept, the memoir provides a fascinating glimpse into the private demands and aesthetic desires that characterised one of the most unconventional presidencies in modern history.
