Trump Unveils New Gold Desk Phone in Oval Office

President Donald Trump recently introduced a new gold-colored desk phone in the Oval Office, attracting attention to the handset and the familiar red button on the Resolute Desk. The customized phone was featured in photographs from the White House and confirmed by Trump as a new addition, gifted by a phone company. The device boasts gold trim and presidential branding, including the seal, an image of the White House, and numbers “45” and “47” reflecting his nonconsecutive terms. Trump’s redesign of the Oval Office includes more gold accents since his return.

Though the White House has not identified the model, the phone resembles Cisco’s 8851 series, previously seen in Trump’s first term. Reuters correspondent David Shepardson reported the phone was from Cisco, after checking with major U.S. phone companies. “The phone companies don’t make handsets—this is from Cisco,” he noted on social media. Newsweek contacted Cisco for comment.

Why two phones?
The Resolute Desk image showed two phones, a setup familiar from Trump’s first term. Presidents often use multiple devices for different networks or needs. This aligns with previous Oval Office communication setups.

The image also sparked discussions about the red button nearby. Famously, this button summons a White House valet with a Diet Coke, a detail revealed during Trump’s first term. It garnered attention from a 2017 Financial Times interview and remained part of Trump’s office mythos. The button was removed during Biden’s term but returned upon Trump’s inauguration.

Technology enthusiasts linked the phone to the Cisco IP Phone 8851 model, common in government and business settings. While its presence is usual, the customization with gold trim, the presidential seal, and Trump’s name is distinctive. Similar customization appeared with Trump Mobile’s gold-colored T1 Phone, highlighting Trump’s preference for gold in branding.