Donald Trump is set to return to the White House on January 20, 2025, and with him, the infamous Diet Coke button will make its comeback, according to reports. This quirky feature, used by Trump during his first tenure, allowed him to summon staff for his favorite beverage right from the Resolute Desk. The button was removed shortly after President Joe Biden assumed office, but with Trump's return, it will occupy its previous spot once again.
The Diet Coke button is just one of the many elements being reinstated as the White House prepares for another Trump administration. Staff members, many of whom have been part of the non-political team for years, are gearing up for the swift turnover—a process steeped in tradition and efficiency. On January 20, they will have roughly five hours to move outgoing President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden out, and welcome back the Trumps.
According to the Daily Mail, upon their return, Donald and Melania Trump will find the White House eerily reminiscent of their earlier years there. "It’s easier because they’ve lived there before," said Kate Andersen Brower, author of The Residence. Brower noted the staff's familiarity with the Trump family, stating they already know their preferences from their previous term, including breakfast choices and personal care products.
This kind of seamless transition is standard for the dedicated White House staff, who prioritize maintaining the tradition of hospitality for incoming families. Notably, the staff enjoyed working with Trump previously, appreciating his tendency to tip with cash, reportedly $50 bills. "He would, like, tip them cash," Brower added.
The logistical dance of moving out one president and transitioning to another begins well before the big day. White House staff is known to start preparations weeks prior, packing personal items, smoothing the logistics of incoming furniture, and ensuring the residence is deeply cleaned. This coordinated endeavor culminates on the day of the inauguration, where the transition completes seamlessly at 12:01 p.m.—the exact moment when Biden's presidency officially ends and Trump’s begins.
Historical transitions have not been without their peculiarities. For example, when President Bill Clinton departed the White House, newly elected President George W. Bush and his team encountered approximately $15,000 worth of damage. Fortunately, the transitions between Trump and Biden and between Biden and the anticipated return of the Trump family are expected to be conducted with professionalism.
Much like the Trumps, incoming families customizing the decor to reflect their tastes has become par for the course. Melania Trump, during her first term, engaged in extensive renovations, including the Rose Garden and various interior rooms, often collaborating with designers. Such changes helped infuse the historic residence with their personal touch, enhancing the atmosphere to suit the family's style.
After four years, with the Trumps’ return, not only will their favorite Diet Coke button be reinstated, but the overall ambiance of the White House is expected to revert back to how it was when they left. Trump’s staff will also land back on familiar ground, including the returning kitchen staff who learned the previous presidential palate intimately.
One area of significant speculation is the position of chief usher—the head of household staff at the White House, who oversees daily operations and manages the residence's logistics. The Trump administration will likely appoint their own choice, as it became custom for each family to pick their preferred chief usher. This position has seen its fair share of controversies during transitions, especially when the Biden administration took over, leaving the outgoing usher gone by the time they arrived.
The Trump White House will again feature notable items from his first administration, including personal touches like photographs and mementos displayed prominently throughout the residence. He famously highlighted his challenge coin collection and family photos during previous terms. Quite dramatically, Trump has even referred to the Diet Coke button as something of interest, jokingly stating it made others 'nervous' because of the proximity to nuclear launch controls.
Whether Trump will introduce new changes this time around or stick closely to the earlier decor remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—once he steps back through those iconic doors of the White House, the residence will be imbued with the unmistakable essence of the Trump presidency.
Trump's return also revives conversations surrounding his personal style as president and highlights his preferred aesthetics versus those of his predecessors. From Oval Office selections to artwork and color schemes, every detail matters, making the incoming transition even more fascinating.
The return of Donald and Melania Trump means not only the revival of preferred items and designs from four years ago but also rekindles the often intense discussions surrounding their choices. It highlights the unique relationship between the presidency and the White House's storied past, intertwined as one when new families take the helm.
