Ivanka Trump recently gave a glimpse into her family’s personal life by sharing a collection of photos over the last month. Among them, one image gained significant attention and evoked a sense of nostalgia on the internet.
In one of the pictures, Ivanka’s son, eight-year-old Theo, is playfully peering out from behind the Resolute desk in the Oval Office, while his grandfather, U.S. President Donald Trump, sits behind the desk with his trademark ‘Make America Great Again’ cap on.
The photo is a direct nod to a well-known photo of President John F. Kennedy and his son, John F. Kennedy Jr., in 1963. In this iconic photo, John Jr. was photographed playing under the Resolute desk by Look magazine photographer Alan Stanley Tretick. This photo is one of the most beloved family photos in White House history.
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) May 1, 2025
A Piece of White House History
The Resolute desk, the centerpiece of both photos, is of great historical importance. Made out of the oak beams from the British vessel H.M.S. Resolute, it was presented to President Rutherford B. Hayes by Queen Victoria in 1880. The White House Historical Association states that the desk was initially installed in the President’s Office on the second floor of the Residence but was transferred to the Oval Office at the behest of President Kennedy.
The desk was drastically modified in 1945 when a rear kneehole panel with the Presidential Coat-of-Arms was installed during President Harry S. Truman’s presidency. Surprisingly, Presidents Johnson, Nixon, and Ford did not use the desk throughout their presidencies.
Theo’s Musical Debut at the White House
Ivanka also posted an emotional video of Theo’s debut performance at the White House. In the video, the little boy sits at a historic Steinway grand piano, playing his first original piece of music confidently while his grandfather beams with pride.
Ivanka described the video: “Theo debuting his first original composition for Grandpa last night at The White House.”
The piano, given by Theodore Steinway to President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938, bears its own significance. The White House Historical Association states that the piano has rich gold leaf design work that details five classic scenes of American music, such as a New England barn dance and a cowboy plucking his guitar. The piano legs, crafted in the design of American eagles, enhance the American orientation of the piano.
Since 1989, this piano has been situated in the White House entrance hall, where it is often played by members of the Marine Band during official occasions.
