By Mummy Grace Donald Trump Brings Winston Churchill’s Bust Back to the Oval Office
In a symbolic gesture of respect, President Donald Trump has returned a bust of Winston Churchill to the Oval Office, marking a significant shift in the room’s decor. This comes after Joe Biden had removed the iconic statue during his administration, replacing it with busts of civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and union leader Cesar Chavez.
The restoration of the Churchill bust, an iconic symbol of strong leadership, was part of a larger makeover of the Oval Office under Trump’s direction. The office now features a range of new additions, including a portrait of George Washington, a rug designed by Nancy Reagan, and the Diet Coke button—a signature item from Trump’s previous term, now relocated to the other side of his desk.
The bust of Churchill, sculpted by Sir Jacob Epstein and originally gifted to President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965, holds historical significance. It was prominently displayed in the Oval Office by President George W. Bush and then-President Trump. During Barack Obama’s presidency, rumors circulated that the bust had been removed, and a replacement was even reported to have been placed in its position. However, it was restored by Trump when he took office in 2017, only to be replaced once again by Biden after the 2020 election.
The return of the Churchill bust reflects Trump’s admiration for the British wartime leader, who he considers one of the greatest leaders the world has ever seen. This view is rooted in Trump’s reverence for Churchill’s defiance during World War II, particularly in the face of Nazi Germany. Trump has previously stated that the 2017 film The Darkest Hour, depicting Churchill, is his “favorite film ever.”
Many saw the removal of the bust by Biden as a move that reflected a distancing of U.S.-UK relations, a sentiment voiced by political figures such as Nigel Farage. The UK’s relationship with the U.S. has long been symbolic, and the bust of Churchill was seen as a strong gesture of mutual respect and shared history. Farage even labeled Trump as “the most pro-British president since Eisenhower,” contrasting his support of Churchill with Biden’s actions.
The removal of the Churchill bust was not without controversy. In 2021, Farage criticized Biden’s decision, suggesting it signaled a weakening of relations between the U.S. and the UK. Trump’s decision to bring the bust back to its prominent position by the fireplace in the Oval Office echoes his affinity for strong leadership and his bond with the British icon.
In a twist of irony, despite the return of Churchill’s bust, other changes made under Biden have remained in place. The bust of Martin Luther King Jr. still occupies a position on the opposite side of the fireplace, a nod to the civil rights icon’s enduring legacy.
The Churchill bust, a gift to President Johnson, has been the subject of debate and shifting political symbolism over the years. It is a piece that has come to represent not just a historical figure but a reflection of U.S. presidential priorities and international diplomacy. For Trump, restoring the bust is a clear statement of respect for a figure who embodies his worldview on leadership and resilience.