“Have you visited here before?” the president inquired as I took my seat in the Oval Office.

“It’s been quite some time, sir. Back in 2008,” I replied.

“Well, I’ve made some changes. Notice the paintings? George Washington above the fireplace and Reagan over the desk. Conservatives appreciate that. If you had to choose, who would you honor above the fireplace: Reagan or Washington?” Trump queried.

I took a moment to reflect on a question usually reserved for presidents. I found myself intrigued by his ongoing transformation of the world’s most influential office. The artwork, his own portrait, and the Declaration of Independence all contribute to a visual reinvention that mirrors his rapid political changes.

Trump’s redecoration is symbolic of how he has governed in this term—introducing new elements with such speed that it’s challenging to keep pace. He clearly envisions a specific direction, and it’s up to the rest of us to decipher and adapt to it.

‘Sir, you’re asking a Kentuckian, so I am biased. But I would’ve chosen Lincoln,’ I said.

‘Well, we have Honest Abe over here,’ Trump retorted, pointing to the wall opposite Reagan where a picture of Lincoln indeed hangs.

Another that caught Trump’s attention was a portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt, perhaps the most powerful president of the twentieth century. Not since FDR has anyone busted Washington’s norms, challenged the judiciary, expanded executive power, reshaped the government, and acted on the will of the people like Trump. The historical parallel is unmistakable.

He’s restyling the Oval visually as fast as he’s reshaping all of American politics

Trump’s redecorating is a metaphor for the way he has governed in his second term—adding new elements at such a rapid pace that hardly anyone can keep up. (Pictured: Rubble is cleared away after demolition of the White House’s East Wing on October 23)

It’s clear that he has a vision for what he wants, and it is up to the rest of us to figure it out and embrace it. (Pictured: Trump holding a mock-up of the White House ballroom on October 22)

‘Some of the Republicans don’t like that,’ Trump said, briefly nodding toward the thirty-second president.

‘I’m thinking of putting a chandelier in here,’ Trump then said, still seated behind his desk. ‘Right through the shield there on the ceiling.

‘If there’s any room that needs a chandelier, it’s this one. What do you think, Scott?’

‘I think it will come in handy at night, Mr. President,’ I said. The Oval was awash in sunlight that day, brighter than I remembered it from frequent visits during the Bush 43 years, where I served as special assistant to the president. I wasn’t quite sure that it needed any more lighting fixtures, but I thought to myself if anyone knows where to put a chandelier, it is this man. (I learned several weeks later that the White House staff investigated the possibility but concluded the ceiling couldn’t hold the weight.)

These days, there is another portrait hanging in the Oval—James Monroe, he of Monroe Doctrine fame. It was a gift from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who shipped it over from the Washington, DC neighborhood of Foggy Bottom. As Secretary Rubio told me during an interview, he presented President Trump with a book of art from the State Department’s collection—art that, in Rubio’s words, was ‘hanging somewhere that no one sees.’ The president flipped through the book and immediately chose Monroe. ‘Obviously a lot of people point to its link to the Monroe Doctrine,’ Rubio said, ‘but for the president, and for me, it’s a reminder that foreign policy works best when it’s anchored in the national interest.’

Now down to business. But not mine, his. I was about to be knitted into ‘the weave,’ Trump’s description for his communication style, for the first time in my life. ‘What do you think of the Panama Canal?’ he asked me.

I’ve marveled at his constant redecorating of the most important office in the world

Trump delivers remarks before signing the continuing resolution to re-open the Federal Government on November 12, 2025

A Revolution of Common Sense by Scott Jennings

‘They are violating their treaty obligations, sir. Well within your rights to push back on Chinese influence,’ I said.

‘Greenland?’

‘Don’t forget about this one. Strategically located, rare earth minerals, and I think an inspired idea.’

‘Canada, fifty-first state?’

‘Intriguing, but I am worried about two additional Democratic senators stalling out your agenda.’

A laugh from the president, but then another note from him: ‘The conservatives are doing well, they will win the next election. The people of Canada are unhappy.’ Ever the optimist, I thought.

In the weeks that followed, Trump’s running commentary roiled Canadian politics. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre distanced himself from Trump at one point, which caused Trump to immediately attack back. On April 28, the Canadians elected liberal leader Mark Carney, who’d run against Poilievre (and against Donald Trump).

Although the conservatives, it should be noted, had their best showing since 2011 and the liberals fell a few seats short of an outright majority. I realized in his line of questioning that I had stumbled into what was essentially the president conducting two meetings at the same time—one on foreign policy, and the other on steel and aluminum tariffs, which he planned to sign later that day.

But both meetings were really about the same thing—what is in the best interest of the United States of America? What choices can we make that put America First?

After a few final instructions for his advisors, they began to collect their binders and notes. Trump then beckoned for me to approach the Resolute Desk.

Excerpted from the book A REVOLUTION OF COMMON SENSE by Scott Jennings. Copyright © 2025 by Scott Jennings. From William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. Reprinted by permission.