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From the gilded Oval Office to a new monument: A look at Trump's renovation projects

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From the gilded Oval Office to a new monument: A look at Trump's renovation projects

Since his return to office, President Donald Trump has wasted no time in reshaping the look and feel of the White House and now, the National Mall.

 
 

This week, Trump unveiled a new monument dubbed the "Arc de Trump," which is planned to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary next year.

TRUMP REVEALS ARC DE TRIOMPHE-STYLE MONUMENT FOR AMERICA’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY

President Donald Trump holds up a rendering of a new arch for the National Mall

President Donald Trump said he was presented with three different options for the new arch. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images / Getty Images)

He said the large arch, a near twin of Paris’s iconic Arc de Triomphe, will welcome visitors crossing the Memorial Bridge from Arlington National Cemetery into the heart of the nation’s capital.

 

It is unclear when construction will begin and how much the arch will cost.

The gilded Oval Office

President Donald Trump smiling in the Oval Office

President Donald Trump has added gold details throughout the Oval Office. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Trump's taste for opulence is unmistakable in the Oval Office, where golden accents now decorate the nation’s most iconic workspace, a reflection of his personal style.

In March, Trump told Fox News host Laura Ingraham during a tour of the Oval Office that the room "needed a little life" when asked about the gold details.

 

"Throughout the years, people have tried to come up with a gold paint that would look like gold, and they've never been able to do it," Trump told Ingraham. 

 

TRUMP GAVE THE OVAL OFFICE A GILDED MAKEOVER – AND COVERED THE COST HIMSELF

Trump speaks to reporters in the Oval Office

A White House spokesperson said the gold paint "is of the highest quality." (Daniel Torok/The White House / Fox News)

"You've never been able to match gold with gold paint, that's why it's gold," Trump added.

 

Since then, Trump has added gold accents throughout the Oval Office to include decorative details along the ceiling and around the doorway trim. Even the cherubs inside the door frames were given a gilded makeover.

President Donald Trump speaks to European leaders in the Oval Office

President Donald Trump has also added several portraits in gold frames to the Oval Office. (Daniel Torok/White House / Fox News)

Gold details in the Oval Office

Paintings and gold trim are visible behind reporters in the Oval Office. (Andrew Harnick/Getty Images / Getty Images)

A golden cherub in the Oval Office

A golden cherub above a door in the Oval Office of the White House. (Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images / Getty Images)

White House spokesperson Davis Ingle previously told Fox News Digital that the gold Trump added to the Oval Office "is of the highest quality," declining to provide further details. 

The spokesperson also said that Trump personally covered the cost of the gold accents, though did not specify how much gold was added or how much Trump spent.

 

The White House ‘walk of fame’

A banner reading "Presidential Walk of Fame' is seen along the White House colonnade

A banner reading "Presidential Walk of Fame' is seen along the colonnade at the White House. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Outside the Oval Office, the Trump administration unveiled the "Presidential Walk of Fame," a series of portraits of past presidents now displayed along the West Wing colonnade.

The portrait of former President Joe Biden features his signature, created with an autopen, a machine that holds a pen and reproduces a person’s handwriting through programmed movements.

 
Framed portraits on the wall of the colonnade outside of the Oval Office at the White House

Former President Joe Biden's signature and an autopen are shown on the colonnade instead of his official portrait. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images / Getty Images)

WHITE HOUSE UNVEILS PRESIDENTIAL WALK OF FAME WITH BIDEN PORTRAIT REPLACED BY AUTOPEN IMAGE

 

The Trump administration has also installed several large mirrors in gold frames along the walkway.

A newly installed large mirror adorns a wall outside of the Oval Office at the White House on September 28, 2025 in Washington.

Large mirrors with gold frames have recently been added to the exterior of the White House. (Pete Marovich/Getty Images / Getty Images)

A new White House ballroom

On July 31, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the planned construction of a 90,000-square-foot ballroom. The sprawling ballroom will accommodate approximately 650 seated guests and will stay true to the classical design of the White House.

A rendering of the new White House ballroom.

The new White House ballroom will take the place of the current East Wing. (White House / Fox News)

"The White House is currently unable to host major functions honoring world leaders in other countries without having to install a large and unsightly tent approximately 100 yards away from the main building's entrance," Leavitt said, adding the new ballroom will be "a much-needed and exquisite addition."

 

SPRAWLING NEW $200M WHITE HOUSE BALLROOM TO BE PAID FOR BY TRUMP AND DONORS

The White House does not have a formal ballroom, and the new ballroom will take the place of the current East Wing of the White House. 

A rendering of the new White Houseballroom.

The new ballroom is estimated to cost $200 million. (White House / Fox News)

Construction has already begun on the White House grounds and the estimated $200 million cost will be financed by Trump and private donors.

 
 

Soaring American flags on the White House lawn

Ahead of Independence Day, Trump also personally financed the installation of two 88-foot flagpoles with American flags flanking the White House, each reportedly costing around $50,000.

Flag pole installed at the White House

Each flagpole reportedly costs a little more than $50,000. (Celal Gunes/Anadolu/Getty Images / Getty Images)

New flag pole at the White House

President Donald Trump covered the cost of the two flagpoles. ( Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images / Getty Images)

"President Trump personally paid to install two big, beautiful American Flags to wave proudly over the White House for years to come," Ingle previously told Fox News Digital.

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"This is just one of many projects President Trump selflessly paid for to make the White House even more patriotic and beautiful," Ingle added. The new flags on the North and South lawns were raised at a June 18 ceremony.

A paved Rose Garden lawn

A view of the White House Rose Garden

Tables and chairs in the recently renovated Rose Garden of the White House on Aug. 19, 2025. (Alex Brandon/AP Photo/Bloomberg/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Elsewhere on the grounds, Trump directed the addition of stone pavers to the Rose Garden lawn, a change designed to better accommodate press conferences and ceremonial events.

Framed by magnolia and crabapple trees, the Rose Garden has hosted everything from diplomatic welcomes to first lady initiatives.

 

The White House declined to say what additional renovation projects were in the works.

 
Olivia Smith

Olivia Smith

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