Donald Trump Wants to Paint One of D.C.’s Most Iconic Buildings All White, Saying It’s Considered Ugly As Is

President Donald Trump appears to be considering yet another redesign — this time targeting one of the most recognizable government buildings just steps from the West Wing.

Since returning to office in January 2025, the 79-year-old president has initiated numerous changes throughout the White House grounds. During an interview with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham on The Ingraham Angle, he hinted that he may soon turn his attention to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB), a massive National Historic Landmark that houses key federal offices.

Ingraham, speaking with Trump in a segment that aired Wednesday, Nov. 12, asked whether rumors were true that the towering stone structure might soon receive a dramatic new look.

“I may… I’ll show you a picture of it before and after, and you’ll make a determination,” Trump responded. He then presented a rendering that showed the EEOB painted bright white — a stark contrast from its current gray façade.

The president noted that while some have long found the building unattractive, he views it differently. “It was always considered an ugly building, and it’s actually one of the most beautiful buildings ever built,” he said. Ingraham — who once worked there during the Reagan administration — admitted she liked the existing look, but Trump insisted the fresh color would enhance its intricate details.

“Look at that, how beautiful that is with a coat of paint,” he said. “It’s all painting. Most of it’s painting. It’s cleaning and pointing and painting. It needs other work.”

When Ingraham expressed concern that the mock-up resembled “a big white blob,” Trump countered: “No, no, what it does is it brings out all the detail. You’re the builder. I’m not,” she conceded.

Trump said the building — completed between 1871 and 1888 — was once regarded as “a really ugly building,” but he now sees it as “one of the most beautiful buildings ever built.” He emphasized the architectural features highlighted in the rendering, pointing out the columns surrounding each window and describing the design as unmatched.

The president also took issue with the original greystone material, saying, “Gray is for funerals.”

Despite the visual plans, Trump stressed that nothing is final. “I don’t even know if I’m going to do it yet. I mean, I’m getting costs… I’m getting bids right now from painters, and we’ll see,” he said. Still, he suggested a makeover would be “a great addition to Washington.”

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According to the U.S. General Services Administration, the EEOB was designed in the French Second Empire style by supervising architect Alfred B. Mullett along with chief designer Richard Von Ezdorf. Upon its completion, it was the largest office building in Washington, D.C.

The structure has housed several major departments over its history — including the State, Navy, and War Departments — before transitioning to host the Bureau of the Budget and portions of the White House staff by the mid-20th century. Beginning with Lyndon B. Johnson’s administration in 1961, the vice president’s office was also located there.

Although a 1957 proposal sought the building’s demolition, it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1969 and renamed for President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1999.

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Elsewhere in his interview with Ingraham, Trump discussed broader renovation efforts around the White House — including demolishing the East Wing to build a new ballroom and making sweeping changes to the Rose Garden, now branded the “Rose Garden Club at the White House.” He also highlighted his creation of the Presidential Walk of Fame.

“Everything’s my idea, sadly,” Trump joked while reflecting on his expanding list of renovation projects.

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