There’s a certain magic to the phrase “there’s no place like home,” but for Donald Trump, that home is unmistakably the White House. After a turbulent four years, marked by chaos, controversy, and a fiery departure from the Oval Office in 2021, the former president returned to the historic seat of power with an air of familiarity. As he stepped back inside on Monday, the 78-year-old billionaire was quick to express his delight, telling reporters, “What a great feeling. One of the better feelings I’ve ever had.”
In his eyes, it was as though he had never left. He made no mention of the dark chapter when a mob of his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol, an event that followed his false claims of a stolen election and ultimately led to his impeachment. Instead, Trump dove straight into an impromptu, 50-minute press conference, filling the air of the Oval Office with his trademark bravado and combative rhetoric.
It’s clear that his sense of comfort in the White House wasn’t purely personal; it was largely due to the rapid work of his White House staff, who had only five hours to restore a familiar atmosphere. Every trace of his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden, was swept away, making way for Trump’s version of the presidential environment. While Trump was tight-lipped on whether the iconic “Diet Coke button” had made its return—a button he’d famously press to summon his favorite drink—there were other subtle but unmistakable signs of his influence.
A portrait of George Washington now hung above the fireplace, replacing the image of Franklin D. Roosevelt, which had adorned the spot during Biden’s tenure. Alongside Washington’s portrait was one of Thomas Jefferson, a common fixture in Trump’s first term. The bust of Winston Churchill, a symbol of strength and resilience, was also back in its place, marking a return to the familiar decor that had underscored Trump’s vision of a presidency marked by American greatness.
Trump couldn’t help but compliment the effort, referring to his staff as having “extraordinary decorators.” Having spent much of the last four years at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump seemed almost surprised by the speed with which his team had recreated his presidential image. He jokingly remarked, “I can live with George Washington, I can live with Thomas Jefferson—they took a very safe route,” as he inspected the portraits hanging in his new-old office.
However, amid the symbolism and fanfare, Trump did encounter a more personal moment that underscored just how swiftly the presidency can change hands. When asked whether he had received the customary handover letter from his predecessor, Biden, Trump’s response was casual but telling. He dug through the historic Resolute Desk, pulling out a white envelope with “47” written on it in Biden’s handwriting. With a surprised chuckle, Trump remarked, “It could have been years before we got it.”
Despite the peaceful nature of the handover, Trump’s press conference was a reminder of his unwavering antagonism toward Biden. While the new president had extended the traditional gesture of passing on a letter, Trump wasted no time in questioning Biden’s media practices. “Does Biden ever do news conferences like this?” he remarked, clearly aware that Biden often relied on scripted appearances and limited press access.
For Biden and his administration, the transition was a bitter reminder of the fleeting nature of political power. Even as Trump returned to the White House, Biden’s team was already packing up, with moving trucks in the driveway and staffers awkwardly navigating their final hours in the West Wing. The shift was not only felt in the corridors of the White House, but also in the digital spaces—social media accounts, websites, and even email fonts all changed as Trump’s team took over.
For Biden, the transition marked the end of a presidency marred by a series of challenges, not least of which was his fraught 2024 campaign. After a weak performance in a debate with Trump, Biden had to concede the inevitability of a rematch, though his exit from office was marked by efforts to protect his aides and family from potential Republican legal repercussions. Before leaving, Biden issued pardons to those he feared might face prosecution under the new administration.
As the two men met for a quiet cup of tea before the inauguration, Biden’s face gave little away. But his words, “Welcome home,” perhaps spoke volumes, embodying the mix of civility, rivalry, and history that so often accompanies these high-stakes transitions of power.
