Trump signs proclamation to lock in gold‑covered Oval Office design

The Guardian reported that President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Thursday declaring the Oval Office and Cabinet Room national monuments. The move, according to the outlet, is intended to stop future administrations from altering his design, which features gold‑covered walls.

Trump told reporters he wants the spaces “preserved” and warned that designs could be “ripped down by stupid people” if not protected. The proclamation, the newspaper said, was signed while the president sat behind the Resolute Desk and formally announced the Oval Office as a “national monument”.

The Guardian noted that the action comes days after the president’s party suffered historic defeats in the midterm elections, and that he has turned his focus to renovation projects across the nation’s capital. By designating the rooms as monuments, Trump aims to cement his aesthetic choices for the remainder of the building’s history.

Why it matters

The proclamation could limit future presidents’ ability to modify the Oval Office, affecting how the White House’s most symbolic space is maintained.

Key details

Location

United Kingdom · Europe

Reported by

The Guardian

First reported

6 Nov 2026, 05:59 IST

Key names

Oval Office, Donald Trump, Cabinet Room, Resolute Desk

Section

Politics

Sources

This is an independent summary. Read the full, original reporting from the publisher:

• The GuardianTrump signs proclamation to try to prevent changes to gold-covered Oval Office 6 Nov, 05:59

Read the full story at The Guardian ↗

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