A replica of Donald Trump’s Oval Office goes for the gold in Washington DC

A museum a short walk from the White House has refitted its full-size Oval Office model to mirror the gilded look Donald Trump has given the real room in his second term. The People's House: A White House Experience, run by the White House Historical Association, reopened the space with about two dozen heavily framed portraits, swirling wall onlays, brass vases and gold trim nearly everywhere. The New York Times has called the president's style a "gilded rococo nightmare.", according to The Guardian.

The portrait selection includes George Washington, Andrew Jackson and Benjamin Franklin, with Ronald Reagan shown twice and Jackie Kennedy the lone woman. Designers toured the actual office while Trump was away, then used 3D scanning in Indianapolis and hand-carved frames from California. More than 25 workers finished the changeover in a week. Unlike the real room's gold leaf, the replica uses gold paint to withstand visitors.

With the White House itself under heavy construction, many tourists may get no nearer to the president's workspace. Visitors interviewed, including Drew Wright, Cheri Lujan Hamilton and Pedro Robles, mostly praised the look, though Hamilton found the door trim excessive. Matthew Costello of the association said presidents have always adapted the room to their preferences.

Summarized by PolitiKool from The Guardian’s reporting. Read the full story at The Guardian →