President Donald Trump has added a historic touch to the Oval Office by hanging a framed copy of the Declaration of Independence, according to images he shared on social media.
On Monday, Trump’s official account on X posted two images showcasing the document prominently displayed on a wall near the president’s desk. In one of the photos, Trump is seen pulling aside dark blue curtains draped around the frame to get a closer look at the document.
Unclear origins of the displayed copy
The origins of the particular copy remain uncertain, as does the exact timing of its installation. However, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed its delivery and placement in the Oval Office.
“The National Archives delivered the Declaration of Independence to the White House at the President’s request. It is displayed in the Oval Office where it will be carefully protected and preserved,” Leavitt said in a statement.
While the original Declaration of Independence remains significantly faded and is housed in the National Archives in Washington, D.C., the version hanging in the Oval Office appears crisp and legible in the posted images. Neither the White House nor the National Archives responded to inquiries regarding which version of the document was selected for display. Trump’s social media post provided no additional context beyond the caption, “The Declaration of Independence in the Oval Office.”
New decor reflects Trump’s personal touch
The historic document is just one of several decorative changes Trump has made to the Oval Office since his return to the White House. According to The Wall Street Journal, the president has also installed a portrait of Andrew Jackson, a painting of George Washington above the fireplace, and a bust of Winston Churchill. Additionally, Trump has retained his signature touch—a button on his desk that, when pressed, summons a Diet Coke.
As Trump continues to shape the decor and policies of his administration, the addition of the Declaration of Independence in the Oval Office serves as a symbolic gesture—one that underscores his efforts to emphasize American history and heritage within the executive branch.