Donald Trump has removed the historic Resolute Desk from the Oval Office for refurbishments, bringing in a “beautiful but temporary” replacement, the C&O Desk. “This desk, the C&O, which is also well-known and was used by President George H.W. Bush and others, has been temporarily installed… while the Resolute Desk is being lightly refinished—a vital job,” he wrote on Truth Social.
The change came just days after Elon Musk’s 4-year-old son, X, was seen picking his nose and seemingly wiping it on the desk during a Q&A session. While some speculated about the timing, Trump has not disclosed the exact reason for the refurbishments.
The Resolute Desk, crafted from the HMS Resolute and gifted by Queen Victoria in 1880, has been used by nearly every U.S. president. Trump noted, “A President, after election, gets a choice of 1 in 7 desks,” though in reality, the selection is from six options.
Following the announcement, social media reactions were mixed. Some noted the desk was already worn, while others criticized bringing children to work meetings. One user joked, “I would’ve got rid of it too.”