Inside Trump’s White House makeover: 4 changes that could define its look for generations

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump has begun construction on a new ballroom in the White House. The project, first announced a few months ago, involves the partial demolition of the historic East Wing, with work starting earlier this week.

Trump shared more details about the ballroom at a press event on Wednesday, October 22.

Other changes in his first year include updates to the Rose Garden and a gold-accented Cabinet Room. Here’s a closer look at the renovations, from the East Wing ballroom to other modifications across the White House. 

Historic look of the White House East Wing

In its early years, the East Wing had a much simpler look, with plain interiors and functional spaces. It primarily served as offices and work areas, without the modern renovations or decorative updates seen today.

1. East Wing to get 90,000-square-foot ballroom

On Monday, October 20, construction began on a new 90,000-square-foot ballroom at the White House. The lavish project is estimated to cost $250 million and is funded entirely through private donations. Once completed, the ballroom will accommodate up to 999 guests, significantly more than the current 200-seat East Room, as per The Guardian.

The ballroom is larger than 1.5 football fields. The East Wing, traditionally housing the first lady’s offices and social spaces, is being demolished to make way for the new structure. President Donald Trump aims to complete the ballroom before the end of his term in 2029.

According to The Independent, the new ballroom will mark the first major structural change to the White House since the addition of the Truman Balcony in 1948.

Speaking of the East Wing, it was originally constructed in 1902 and later expanded with a second floor under President Franklin Roosevelt in 1942. Over time, the East Wing has been home to the first lady’s office and other key departments, including the White House Travel Office and the Military Office. 

White House rose garden transformation 

The Rose Garden, originally designed for first lady Ellen Axson Wilson, was landscaped in 1913 by George Elberton Burnap, with Charles Henlock serving as head gardener.

2. Rose Garden gets modern makeover 

Jackie Kennedy’s Rose Garden, carefully designed in the 1960s, has been given a modern update in 2025 under President Donald Trump. The central grassy area, which the president said often got muddy, has been replaced with a white limestone patio. 

Tables, chairs, and striped umbrellas now fill the space, while some flowers remain along the edges. A new speaker system has also been installed.

According to The New York Times, the redesign was meant to evoke the feel of Trump’s Palm Beach club, Mar-a-Lago. Last month, the president hosted guests in the newly updated space, now being called the “Rose Garden Club.”

Oval Office once featured a modest and functional decor

In earlier days, the Oval Office had a much simpler, understated design. Its decor focused on functionality, with plain wooden furniture, modest rugs, and traditional portraits of past presidents. Unlike today’s gilded updates.

3. Oval Office gets makeover with luxurious gold details 

The Oval Office has been updated with a golden theme. From the crown molding on the ceiling to the side table lamps, the golden touch is visible in nearly every detail. Even the fireplace screen has been redone in gold.

Portraits of famous and important personalities now hang in ornate gold frames instead of the previous wooden ones.

According to CNN, “There is gold everywhere: new gold vermeil figurines on the mantle and medallions on the fireplace, gold eagles on the side tables, gilded Rococo mirrors on the doors, and, nestled in the pediments above the doorways, diminutive gold cherubs shipped in from Mar-a-Lago.”

No gold touches in old Cabinet Room 

The Cabinet Room was not updated with gold details. Its design remained traditional, without gilded accents or luxurious gold finishes.

4. Golden details extend into the new Cabinet Room

The gold theme didn’t stop at the Oval Office, it extends into the Cabinet Room as well. The walls have been updated with gold trim and coverings, and other gold accents have been added throughout the room, according to The New York Times.

Trump has also installed ornate chandeliers and added more flags representing different military branches, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Along the walkway outside the West Wing, President Trump has added a unique “Presidential Walk of Fame” in an employee-of-the-month style. The portraits are arranged by administration, which means there are two images of Trump and two of former President Grover Cleveland, who served as both the 22nd and 24th president.

Black-and-white portraits hang in gold frames. In a notable change, Joe Biden’s portrait has been replaced with an image of an autopen.

Trump joins list of presidents who renovated the White House

No, President Donald Trump is not the first president to make structural changes to the White House. Here are others who made notable modifications:

William Howard Taft (1909): Commissioned the Oval Office, choosing architect Nathan C. Wyeth, who modeled it after the Blue Room, one of the White House’s most famous oval-shaped rooms.

Harry S Truman (1947): Installed the first White House bowling alley to celebrate his birthday. The two-lane alley was located in the West Wing, near what is now the Situation Room.

Richard Nixon (1969): Added a one-lane alley beneath the North Portico and converted a third-floor bedroom into a billiards room. The alley still exists and is occasionally used by staff, though it is not open to public tours.

Barack Obama (2009): Converted the White House tennis court into a full basketball court, often playing with staff to unwind during stressful times, including before his 2012 re-election.