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WASHINGTON — President Trump’s photographed offer of a “4 More Years” hat to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Monday cast a global focus onto one of his lesser-known White House remodels: turning a room off the Oval Office into a free-of-charge gift shop.
The merch room was previously a private study — which also saw action as President Bill Clinton’s love den with intern Monica Lewinsky.
A treasure trove now awaits the president’s biggest supporters and visiting heads of state.
“Some people leave with bags of stuff,” a source told The Post.
Coveted souvenirs include Trump’s golden “Never Surrender” high-top sneakers, which launched last year for $399, and custom-made ties by Stefano Ricci, whose standard offerings retail starting at $330 at Neiman Marcus, sources said.
Trump “loves being generous” with visitors, said one person who has been to the room.
“Fellas, come on, grab what you want. It’s OK,” Trump told aides to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev following a peace deal signing with Armenia on Aug. 8.
The room serves multiple functions, including playing to Trump’s strengths as a host and fulfilling the branding and hospitality executive’s desire for a lasting positive impression. It also serves as a polite way to end Oval Office encounters, turning potentially curt send-offs into a memorable moment.
Although a prior iteration existed during Trump’s first presidency, this second-term upgrade features a broad inventory.
A recent visitor recalled neat shelves of photobooks, candles, golf balls and tees, travel mugs, cufflinks, enameled boxes, small dishes and hand towels.
Another source spotted Bibles autographed by the president.
The West Wing room, reputedly used by former President Joe Biden to rest, also has special boxes of M&Ms that the candy maker Mars produces with the signatures of chief executives from both parties.
Visitors generally receive a paper bag adorned with the presidential seal to stuff with keepsakes.
Trump has made substantial changes to the White House grounds since reclaiming power in January, adding dramatic golden refreshes for the Oval Office and Cabinet Room, enormous flagpoles to the lawns, a paved patio for the Rose Garden and fresh marble for the Palm Room linking the West Wing to the main White House. He plans to turn the East Wing into a ballroom.
The relatively small gift room’s diplomatic utility was on display this month when Aliyev visited — as Trump asserted US leadership in a conflict between two nations historically in Russia’s sphere of influence.
Trump picked out a scarf for Aliyev’s wife, handing it to the strongman, and instructed aides to make sure that a symbolic “Key to the White House” that he personally designed was put into Aliyev’s swag bag, as the guest thanked him for the gifts.
Trump showed Aliyev, who does not have free elections, a “Trump 2028” hat, telling this counterpart, “You know, you’re not allowed to run [for a third term]. I’m 28 points higher than anybody. Everyone wants me to run.”
“Including us!” added Aliyev, who inherited his position from his father.
“This drives them crazy,” Trump said, turning slightly to point out the same hat he showed Zelensky. “Look, ‘4 More Years.’ They go, ‘4 More Years!’ So it’s sorta cool.”
Stacks of red “Make America Great Again” hats are also available, as are newer versions that say “Gulf of America” and “Trump Was Right About Everything.”
French President Emmanuel Macron, who joined Zelensky in the room, clutched his recently received “Key to the White House,” contained in a wooden display box that had moments earlier been on the Oval Office’s Resolute Desk.
What, if anything, Zelensky chose to take was unclear to The Post’s sources, but he also left the White House with a revived relationship with Trump and pledges for US and European backing for “security guarantees” against further Russian invasions if peace is achieved.
