WASHINGTON, D.C. – The People’s House museum, located just steps from the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue, opened a newly refurbished replica of the Oval Office on Saturday. The exhibit mirrors President Donald Trump’s second‑term design choices, featuring gleaming gold‑hued vases, swirling onlays, and two dozen portraits in heavy gilded frames that line every wall.
Trump’s Design Legacy on Display
“As political as the Oval Office is, it really is also the office of the American people,” said Luke Boorady, managing director of The People’s House. “We want visitors who come here to feel more connected to this space.” The replica, the same size as the real office, allows the public to sit behind a copy of the historic Resolute Desk and view a replica of the Declaration of Independence, just as the president does in the actual West Wing.
Specialized designers from across North America spent weeks recreating the president’s décor. Teams in North Carolina reproduced the intricate wall appliqués, while a group from Indianapolis handled 3D scanning and printing of unique objects. California artisans hand‑carved gold frames for the 24 portraits, and collaborators from Canada and Virginia fabricated replica vases and tabletop pieces. The museum used a durable paint solution rather than real gold leaf to protect the finishes from wear and tear caused by visitors.
Presidential Pride in the Oval Office
President Trump, a real‑estate developer turned politician, has long emphasized his desire to leave a lasting mark on the nation’s capital. In a recent interview with Time magazine, he said the Oval Office is “a beautiful room that nobody should be allowed to rip down.” He also noted that he asked his chief of staff to designate the altered office as a federal landmark.
Beyond the replica, the administration has pursued other high‑profile projects, such as paving a patio near the Rose Garden reminiscent of Mar‑a‑Lago, installing a new row of presidential portraits along the colonnade, and erecting towering flagpoles on both the North and South lawns. Trump’s most ambitious undertaking, a $400 million ballroom slated to replace the East Wing, reflects his vision of a grander, more welcoming White House.
Public Reaction and Historical Context
Visitors have praised the replica’s attention to detail, noting how the gold accents make the space feel “more brilliant” than the original. While the White House Historical Association does not disclose the cost of the replica, it operates without government funding, relying on private donations and merchandise sales.
Boorady added that the exhibit originally mirrored President Joe Biden’s design after the association first opened the duplicate in September 2024. Following the 2024 election, the exhibit was updated to reflect President Trump’s first‑term style, and now showcases his second‑term enhancements.
When asked if President Trump would return for a personal tour, Boorady replied, “I don’t know,” but affirmed that the president is “always welcome.” The replica offers a tangible way for Americans to experience the president’s vision for the nation’s most famous workspace, reinforcing his commitment to preserving the heritage and symbolism of the Oval Office.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
