Latest news with #TheWhiteHouseHistoricalAssociation
Hindustan Times
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Donald Trump and grandson Theo recreate John F. Kennedy's historic photo in Oval Office
Ivanka Trump recently offered a glimpse into her family's private moments by sharing a series of photos from the past month, including one that sparked nostalgia and drew attention online. One photo featured her eight-year-old son Theo playfully poking his head out from the door at the front of the famed Resolute desk inside the Oval Office. Sitting behind the desk is US President Donald Trump, 78, smiling and wearing his signature 'Make America Great Again' cap. Also read: Grandpa Donald Trump enjoys Theo's original composition at White House in Ivanka Trump's touching video The image was a clear nod to an iconic photograph of President John F. Kennedy and his son, John F. Kennedy Jr., who was once pictured playing under the same desk. That original moment, captured by Look magazine photojournalist Alan Stanley Tretick, remains one of the most endearing and widely recognised White House family portraits. The picture session was held in October 1963 when President Kennedy invited Tretick into the Oval Office for a family shoot while he was mourning the loss of his prematurely born child. The desk, known as the Resolute desk, has a rich history of its own. Crafted from the oak timbers of the British ship H.M.S. Resolute, it was presented to President Rutherford B. Hayes by Queen Victoria in 1880, according to The White House Historical Association. Despite its popularity today, the desk wasn't always housed in the Oval Office. It was initially placed in the President's Office on the Second Floor of the Residence from 1880 to 1902. A major alteration came in 1945 when a rear kneehole panel featuring the Presidential Coat-of-Arms was added, a version first used by President Harry S. Truman. It was President Kennedy who later requested the desk be moved to the Oval Office. Not every leader, however, chose to use it; Presidents Johnson, Nixon, and Ford all opted for different desks during their terms. The desk also features a brass plaque detailing the journey of its creation, from the breaking of the ship to its gifting to President Hayes. Ivanka shared another touching moment from the White House, a video of young Theo debuting his first original piano composition. Dressed in an off-white suit, Theo sat confidently at the keys of a historic Steinway grand piano as his grandfather, Donald Trump, watched on with pride. ''Theo debuting his first original composition for Grandpa last night at The White House,'' Ivanka captioned the video. The piano, presented to President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938 by Theodore Steinway, is also steeped in American history. As per The White House Historical Association, it features gold leaf designs depicting five traditional American musical scenes, including a New England barn dance, a cowboy strumming his guitar, the Virginia reel, two Black field workers clapping and dancing, and an Indigenous ceremonial dance. Its three mahogany legs are shaped like American eagles. The piano has been placed in the White House entrance hall since 1989 and is frequently used by members of the Marine Band during official gatherings. Also read: '110-hour weeks, hospitalised, then fired': Junior bankers at US firm say brutal work culture led to organ failure
Daily Mail
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Ivanka and son Theo recreate iconic Kennedy White House photo... with some help from President Trump
As April came to a close, Ivanka Trump shared a few snaps of family fun throughout the past month. In one picture, her eight-year-old son Theo had climbed beneath President Donald Trump 's desk to poke his head out through a door at the front. The cheeky black-and-white photo also featured a smiling Trump, 78, who sat behind the desk in the Oval Office wearing his signature Make America Great Again cap. Ivanka's picture was a recreation of an iconic, historic picture of President John F. Kennedy and his son, John. F. Kennedy Jr., who was also playing beneath the desk. The original picture was taken by Alan Stanley Tretick who was a Look magazine photojournalist that often captured moments of Kennedy and his family. Former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy was not a fan of having pictures of her children taken for the sake of politics, but she wasn't at the White House at the time, per Irish Star. In October 1963, JFK invited Tretick into the Oval Office for a family session while grieving the loss of a prematurely born child. The desk in the picture is known as the 'Resolute desk' and it is made from the oak timbers of the British ship H.M.S. Resolute and was given as a gift to President Rutherford B. Hayes from Queen Victoria in 1880, per The White House Historical Association. Every president has used the desk except Presidents Johnson, Nixon, and Ford. It wasn't always in the Oval Office either - it was first used in the President's Office on the Second Floor of the Residence from 1880 to 1902. In 1945, the desk's rear kneehole was fitted with a panel carved with the Presidential Coat-of-Arms, and President Harry S. Truman was the first to sit at the new version. It was first used in the Oval Office after JFK requested it. There is a brass plaque on the desk that explains the history of its creation from the breaking of the ship to it being gifted to President Hayes. In another recent post, Ivanka shared a heartwarming video of Theo as he sat perched behind a piano. Theo, who was dressed in a smart off-white suit, masterfully played an original song on the historic instrument as grandfather Donald Trump affectionately watched on. 'Theo debuting his first original composition for Grandpa last night at The White House,' Ivanka wrote to caption the performance. He was playing a Steinway grand piano that was presented to FDR in 1938 by Theodore Steinway, per The White House Historical Association. It has gold leaf decorations representing 'five musical forms indigenous of America,' including a New England barn dance, a cowboy playing his guitar, the Virginia reel, two black field hands - one clapping and one dancing - and an Indian ceremonial dance. The grand piano also has three mahogany legs carved as American eagles. It has stood in the entrance hall to the White House since 1989 and is often played by members of the Marine Band during social functions.
The Citizen
01-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Even Zuma was better than Trump
In his address, Malema slammed Trump for his 'illiteracy', saying even former president Jacob Zuma was better than him. EFF leader Julius Malema has taken a swipe at US President Donald Trump just as he celebrates his first 100 days in office. The EFF hosted a Workers' Day rally at the Zinniaville Sports Ground in Rustenburg, North West, on Thursday. In his address, Malema slammed Trump for his 'illiteracy', saying even former president Jacob Zuma was better than him. ALSO READ: WATCH: EFF to fight for return of land whether Trump likes it or not – Malema According to The White House Historical Association, Trump was educated at the New York Military Academy and the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce at the University of Pennsylvania. The former president has received honorary doctorates from several higher education institutions, including the universities of Fort Hare and Zululand. 'America is an enemy of Afrika' Malema has criticised Trump on several occasions after the US president suspended financial aid to South Africa, citing the country's International Court of Justice (ICJ) case against Israel, its relationship with Iran and the Expropriation Act. Malema reiterated his party's call for the expropriation of land and giving it to the poor people, declaring America an enemy of Africa. 'Comrades, go na le monna o mongwe ka mo, bare ke [there is a certain man named] Donald Trump…The most illiterate president. Even Zuma was better than Donald Trump… America is an enemy of Afrika,' said Malema. ALSO READ: Mashatile denies 'external pressure' on land expropriation while Malema calls Act a 'scam' 'They don't want stability in Afrika. They don't want any African leader who speaks for Africans. DRC has never known peace since the discovery of minerals in that particular country, because America wants to undermine the people of DRC. 'So, fighters, we want to make sure we expropriate land and give it to you, the people of Rustenburg, the people of Madibeng, the People of North West.' Malema: 'EFF must be everywhere' Malema further stressed the importance of serving the poor where the EFF is, suggesting ways the government could cut costs. 'The EFF is not a government-in-waiting, EFF is governing here in Rustenburg, and we want every department that s led by the EFF to perform much better the save the poor of the poorest,' said Malema. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa shrugs off Malema's 'tirade' over Elon Musk call 'When we say 'Remove the deputy ministers', a lot of money is going to be saved – And that money will come to you, the poorest of the poor. 'No pensioner must pay for water and electricity. The rich must subsidise the poor. Comrades, under the EFF Government, every doctor, when they graduate, straight from university in their gown, they go straight into a working place, they go straight into a hospital, they go straight into a clinic.' However, he said these things would never happen under President Cyril Ramaphosa's government. 'Mambush will never rest as long as Cyril Ramaphosa is still the President of South Africa. Mambush will never rest as long as the ANC is still a government in the North West.' READ NEXT: 'I don't care' – Malema hits back at Musk's calls for him to be sanctioned and declared 'international criminal' [VIDEOS]
Daily Mail
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ivanka Trump gushes over son Theo, 8, as he plays the White House piano for grandfather Donald
Ivanka Trump has proved to be every inch the proud mom as she gushed over son Theodore's music credentials. On Tuesday afternoon, the 43-year-old took to Instagram with a heartwarming video of the youngster, eight, as he sat perched behind a piano. Theo, who was dressed in a smart off-white suit, masterfully played an original song on the historic instrument as grandfather Donald Trump affectionately watched on. 'Theo debuting his first original composition for Grandpa last night at The White House,' Ivanka wrote to caption the performance. And viewers couldn't help but gush over the touching moment. 'This is the kind of moment that reminds us what we're really fighting for family, tradition, and a future worth building,' a user detailed. 'Theo playing for Grandpa Trump at the White House isn't just sweet, it's symbolic. A new generation growing up in a country that respects its roots. 'Legacy isn't just policy, it's personal. And this one's powerful.' 'Original? Very impressive!' another said. 'Bravo, Theo!' someone praised. Another wrote: 'I'm so impressed, that was super good. What a talented young man. Congratulations Theo!' 'Wow! Ivanka, he is incredible! You should be super proud Mumma Bear!' a user proclaimed. 'Outstanding and exciting! By the way, nice venue, nice piano,' a comment read. Someone commented: 'The most important and amazing part is that Donald J. Trump (one of the busiest men on earth) stood there in silence, totally respectful for this young artist… with full attention and nothing could be more important than listening to him.' 'Very nicely done Theo! You are very talented and should continue your work!' a person wrote. 'Good job young man! This is why we fight so hard for our future generations,' someone commented. 'I so love how your dad makes the White House a normal house where generations of a family play together,' another said. 'That's because you had a great dad- see it all trickles down,' a user said about Ivanka's father, Trump. Theo was playing a Steinway grand piano that was presented to FDR in 1938 by Theodore Steinway, per The White House Historical Association. It has gold leaf decorations representing 'five musical forms indigenous of America,' including a New England barn dance, a cowboy playing his guitar, the Virginia reel, two black field hands - one clapping and one dancing - and an Indian ceremonial dance. The grand piano also has three mahogany legs carved as American eagles. It has stood in the entrance hall to the White House since 1989 and is often played by members of the Marine Band during social functions.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump removes 150-year-old Resolute Desk from the Oval Office to be 'lightly refinished'
President Donald Trump has temporarily taken the 150-year-old Resolute Desk out of the Oval Office for refinishing. 'A President, after election, gets a choice of 1 in 7 desks,' Trump wrote on social media. 'This desk, the 'C&O,' which is also very well known and was used by President George H.W. Bush and others, has been temporarily installed in the White House while the Resolute Desk is being lightly refinished—a very important job. This is a beautiful, but temporary replacement!' When President Harry S. Truman first used the desk at the White House, it was brought into the Oval Office by President John F. Kennedy and became an iconic backdrop as his son, John F. Kennedy Jr., played inside the desk while his father was working. Gifted to former President Rutherford B. Hayes by Queen Victoria in 1880, the Resolute Desk is a double pedestal partner's desk made from oak timbers of the British Shop HMS Resolute, according to The White House Historical Association. For many years, the desk was used on the second floor of the White House, where the presidential offices were located before the addition of the West Wing in 1902. In 1945, the Presidential Coat-of-Arms, the seal of the U.S. president, was fitted on the desk. Between 1948-1952, the desk was moved to the Broadcast Room on the White House's ground floor and was used for a short period of time for radio and television broadcasts by former President Dwight D. Eisenhower, according to The White House Historical Association. Former President John F. Kennedy was the first president to use the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office. When former President Lyndon B. Johnson took office in 1963, he requested another desk for the Oval Office, according to The White House Historical Association. Between 1966 and 1977, the Resolute Desk was part of a traveling exhibition before it was put on display at the Smithsonian. Former President Jimmy Carter requested the return of the Resolute Desk in 1977, where it has remained since − except by George H.W Bush who used the C&O Desk. Per The White House Historical Association, before its arrival to the White House, the Resolute Desk was a part of a British arctic expedition in 1852. During the expedition, the desk was abandoned and became trapped it ice. In 1855, the desk was recovered by an American whaler and Congress appropriated funding to refit the ship that the desk was on to England, as a gift to Queen Victoria. Queen Victoria reaffirmed the U.S. friendship and constructed a new version of the desk, which was then given to Hayes, according to The White House Historical Association. Beginning with the 19th president, Rutherford B. Hayes, every president has used the Resolute Desk, except George H.W Bush, who only used it for five months before requesting the C&O, according to The White House Historical Association. The Georgian-style C&O Desk is made of walnut and features golden handles. The desk's acronym stands for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway because the desk was built for one of the railway's owners and later donated to the White House, according to George H.W. Bush was the first and only president − up until Trump − to utilize the C&O Desk. Theodore Roosevelt Desk The Theodore Roosevelt Desk was crafted for the former president in 1903. It resided in the West Wing until 1929, in which it was stashed until former President Harry S. Truman took it out of storage in 1945, according to Former Presidents Eisenhower, Woodrow Wilson and William Howard Taft are among others who signed legislation on the desk. Today, the Theodore Roosevelt Desk is housed in the Vice President's Ceremonial Office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. The Johnson Desk Upon taking office, Johnson requested that a new desk be made for the Oval Office by the Senate's carpenters, according to Johnson was the only president to ever use the desk. Today, The Johnson Desk is located at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum. The Hoover Desk During former President Herbert Hoover's presidency in 1929, a fire severely damaged the West Wing of the White House, including the Oval Office. The president's desk survived the fire, but when new furniture was installed, so was a new desk. A gift from the Grand Rapids Michigan Furniture Manufacture's Association, Hoover's desk was made of American wood and a Michigan maple veneer, according to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. When former President Franklin D. Roosevelt took the presidential office next, he continued to use Hoover's desk. On the desk he signed the New Deal, declarations of war with Japan and Germany and the GI Bill, according to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. The Wilson Desk Despite what folks may think, The Wilson Desk was not named after former President Woodrow Wilson. Perhaps it was named after the early Vice President Henry Wilson, hypothesizes. Former Presidents Gerald Ford and Richard Nixon both used the mahogany desk. Today, it is on display in the Vice President's Room in the U.S. Capitol. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump removes Resolute Desk from Oval Office for refinishing
