Donald Trump reportedly took decorative items intended for first lady Melania Trump's quarters during the initial weeks of his second term, according to reporting in the book "Regime Change." The book, by Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan of The New York Times, suggests Trump prioritized his own preferences for White House decor over his wife's while she was not present.
According to accounts from the book, residence staff observed Trump taking items that had been placed in the center hall of the residence, understood to be designated for the first lady. These items were then used by the president in either the Oval Office or his own bedroom, creating the appearance of a competition for the more desirable furnishings. Staff reportedly resorted to sending photos to Melania Trump to confirm potential decor choices.
The reporting also touches on Trump's intervention with the Rose Garden, a project Melania Trump had taken pride in during his first term. He reportedly altered the garden by replacing grass with stones without consulting her stated preferences.
Additionally, the book notes Melania Trump's dissatisfaction with the state of the East Wing ballroom during the extensive renovations, with Swan quoted as saying she "didn't want to live in a construction zone."
Trump, in his own description of his wife, characterized her as a "minimalist," a remark made while he was surrounded by ornate, gold-laden decor, which Haberman contrasted by labeling Trump a "maximalist."