Trump reveals the one White House change he refused to allow

President Donald Trump said he rejected a suggestion from the Secret Service to demolish the Oval Office and build a new one
Trump was asked what he would miss most about the White House when he leaves office at the end of his second term, and he spoke about the historic West Wing office (Getty Images)
Trump was asked what he would miss most about the White House when he leaves office at the end of his second term, and he spoke about the historic West Wing office (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump revealed which part of the White House he would miss after leaving office and said he would not allow to be demolished.

President Trump said he had rejected a suggestion to demolish the Oval Office and build a new one.

Trump would not allow the demolition of one part of WH

Trump was asked what he would miss most about the White House when he leaves office at the end of his second term, and he spoke about the historic Oval office in the West Wing.

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 30: U.S. President Donald Trump, joined by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, speaks to reporters in the Oval Office of the White House on May 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. Musk, who served as an adviser to Trump and led the Department of Government Efficiency, announced he would leave the Trump administration to refocus on his businesses. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump, joined by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, speaks to reporters in the Oval Office of the White House on May 30, 2025(Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

“This beautiful room that nobody should be allowed to rip down,” he said. “The Oval Office.”

Trump said he had seen Secret Service agents looking around the room and asked them what they were looking at.

“And I say, ‘What are you guys looking at?’ ‘Sir, we think the Oval Office should be taken down, and we’ll build a new one, sir,'” he told Time magazine in an interview published Thursday, Oct 1. 

“I said, ‘My a–, you can’t build a new one. This is a special place,'” the president continued.

Trump has added gold decorations, gold frames and gold trim to the crown molding in the Oval Office. He also added gold to the presidential seal on the ceiling and placed a gold sign reading “The Oval Office” outside the door.

Trump wants renovated Oval Office to be federal landmark

Trump said he is also considering seeking federal landmark status for the Oval Office.

“I’ve been asking Susie for six months to give me a statement. Will we save this room? Will we make it a federal landmark?” Trump said, referring to his chief of staff, Susie Wiles.

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 05: Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump praises his campaign senior advisor Susie Wiles during an election night event at the Palm Beach Convention Center on November 06, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Americans cast their ballots today in the presidential race between Republican nominee former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as multiple state elections that will determine the balance of power in Congress. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Republican presidential nominee, President Donald Trump praises his campaign senior advisor Susie Wiles during an election night event at the Palm Beach Convention Center on November 06, 2024 (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

While Trump wants the Oval Office to remain as it is, he has made several changes in White House.

Last October, Trump demolished the East Wing to make space for a 90,000-square-foot ballroom. He also paved over the Rose Garden and added tables and chairs. The Palm Room was also renovated.

Trump added gold-framed photos of former presidents along the West Wing Walkway and Colonnade. He also replaced the flooring with dark granite.

He also made changes to the Cabinet Room and added flags to the North and South lawns, along with a helipad.

Earlier, he said the White House was a “dump” that he had fixed up.

“The White House is a very special symbol,” he said. “It’s a symbol of America. It’s a symbol of our greatness.”

Tower cranes being used for construction of the White House Ballroom are seen at the White House, on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner)
Tower cranes being used for construction of the White House Ballroom are seen at the White House, on Tuesday, March 31, 2026(AP Photo/Tom Brenner)

“And I said, ‘I got to fix it.’ And I do that better than anybody else,” Trump added. “Maybe I do it better than anything I do, and it’s easy for me. It’s actually relaxing. You know, for a lot of people, it drives them crazy.”

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