During a recent White House Cabinet meeting, President Donald Trump showed more interest in discussing interior design changes than addressing pressing policy matters, including the Justice Department’s Jeffrey Epstein report.
According to MSNBC, the meeting, which began with brief mentions of serious issues like the Texas tragedy, wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and global tariffs, quickly shifted to Trump’s apparent passion for White House decorations.
Instead of focusing on important policy discussions, Trump spent 15 minutes describing in detail the new paintings he had ordered for the walls. He drew attention to the light fixtures above and even conducted an informal poll among Cabinet members about their preferences for gold leaf ceiling molding.
New changes reflect Trump’s personal taste in White House decor
The president has made several notable changes to the White House’s interior design during his second term. These include replacing certain portraits and murals of former officials he dislikes, and adding a copy of the Declaration of Independence to the Oval Office wall.
Recent modifications also include placing a picture of Trump alongside first lady portraits in the White House. In another controversial move, a portrait of Barack Obama was replaced with a painting related to an assassination attempt targeting Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Did you enjoy the last cabinet meeting? They found the oil painting of Andrew Jackson. Oh and then Trump goes on to tell you where all the portraits are hanging. He likes the frames too. A virtual tour of upstairs in the White House yeah that's productive.
— lora (@Loralyn28954790) July 9, 2025
Trump’s interest in decorating extends beyond just artwork. He has brought in a specialist, referred to as his “gold guy,” to add gold finishes to the Oval Office. During the recent Cabinet meeting, he spent considerable time discussing room colors and shared a lengthy story about acquiring a clock from Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s office.
The president’s focus on design has not been limited to interior spaces. Under his direction, changes have been made to the White House exterior as well, including controversial modifications to Jackie Kennedy’s beloved Rose Garden and the installation of a new flagpole, which Trump has reportedly shown great enthusiasm about.
These decorating pursuits have drawn attention away from crucial policy discussions, highlighting a pattern where the president appears more engaged with aesthetic changes than with the details of governing and policymaking.
