Iconic Presidential Desk Removed for Refurbishment Following Unusual Incident
In a shocking move days after tech billionaire Elon Musk brought his 4-year-old son to the Oval Office, former President Donald Trump has ordered the temporary removal of the historic Resolute Desk – used by every president since Jimmy Carter – citing urgent refurbishment needs.
The Germaphobe-In-Chief Acts
Trump confirmed via Truth Social that workers removed the 145-year-old oak desk on February 21, 2025, replacing it with the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway desk previously used by his father during George H.W. Bush’s administration. Security footage reviewed by White House staff reportedly showed Musk’s son X Æ A-12 exploring nasal cavities before wiping fingers on the desk during a meeting about cryptocurrency regulations.
A Desk With Diplomatic DNA
Crafted from timbers of HMS Resolute – abandoned in Arctic ice in 1854 and returned to Britain by U.S. whalers – Queen Victoria gifted this symbol of Anglo-American friendship to President Rutherford Hayes in 1880. The desk features:
- 1,300-pound solid oak construction
- Original 1880 brass plaque detailing its naval origins
- 1945-added presidential seal panel (still showing war-facing eagle)
- 1961 JFK-era height adjustment plinth
Presidential Rotation History
| Desk | Users | Years Active |
|---|---|---|
| Resolute | JFK, Carter-Clinton, Obama-Biden | 1961-1963; 1977-2025 |
| C&O | GHW Bush (5 months), Trump* | 1989; 2025-present |
*Current temporary replacement
Refurbishment Reality Check
White House conservators confirm this marks only the third major restoration since 1880:
- 1945: Added Truman’s eagle panel
- 1986: Reagan-era plinth replacement
- 2025: Current surface refinishing
The National Archives estimates restoration will take 6-8 weeks using traditional techniques matching William Evenden’s original 1880 craftsmanship. Meanwhile, Trump continues using what he calls “a very high-quality temporary solution” while awaiting his preferred workspace’s return.
