Kathrine Frich
The jokes continued to pour in throughout the afternoon
When new occupants move into historic homes, they always want to leave a personal mark on the space.
Sometimes those decorative choices spark intense public debate.
One recent addition to a very famous desk has just sent the internet into a complete meltdown.
A shiny new addition
A photograph captured by journalist Peter Doocy revealed a new desk accessory. During a Wednesday meeting with travel executives, US President Donald Trump showed off a custom landline sitting directly on the historic Resolute Desk.
CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins quickly shared the zoomed-in image on X. The picture showed a black Cisco telephone that had been heavily customized to match his unique style.
The device features thick gold borders. It also displays his full name right across the bottom. The top reads “the president”, while the numbers 45 and 47 sit just above the keypad.
Online backlash grows
The custom telephone quickly attracted a wave of negative attention online. Several social media users mocked the shiny design. According to The Irish star, one commenter on Facebook simply called it “tacky”, while another wrote, “Tacky just like him!”
Critics on X questioned the need for personalized branding. One frustrated user wrote, “What kind of ahole needs his own name spelled out in gold on his phone? This man’s need for constant validation is exhausting.”
Another person poked fun at the president directly. They commented, “Lest he forget his name or where he is located…”
Pawn shop aesthetic
The jokes continued to pour in throughout the afternoon. One angry user said the device, “Looks like something my grandma would order from an infomercial.”
Many felt the shiny new phone completely ruined the dignified atmosphere of the historic workspace. One user joked, “The Oval Office looks like a damned pawn shop.”
Others connected the extravagant decor to everyday economic struggles. Another user remarked, “It has the same cheap, gaudy aesthetic that Donald Trump loves so much. Can you believe that you’re paying more than $5 a gallon for gasoline for this s—?”
Defending the design
According to the Irish Star, this desk accessory is part of a larger renovation project across the property.
Despite the online mockery, officials defend the interior design choices. They argue the updates are necessary as the nation approaches a major milestone.
White House spokesman Davis Ingle previously told Business Insider that the president “continues to implement long-overdue and necessary renovations to beautify the People’s House as we celebrate our great Nation’s 250th anniversary of independence.”
Sources: CNN, X, Facebook, Irish Star, Business Insider
