Donald Trump moves official White House portrait of Barack
Donald Trump has allegedly ordered the relocation of official portraits of Barack Obama and both George H.W. and George W. Bush to less visible areas of the White House. According to CNN, Obama’s portrait—originally displayed in a high-traffic entryway—was moved to the restricted Grand Staircase, where few visitors can see it.
The portraits of the two Bush presidents were also reportedly shifted to the same secluded area. Obama’s striking portrait, painted by Robert McCurdy, features the former president against a blank background, emphasizing a direct gaze with the viewer. Critics have called Trump’s decision petty, with social media users mocking his apparent insecurity.
This isn’t the first time Trump has rearranged White House artwork. During his first term, he replaced Bill Clinton and George W. Bush’s portraits in the Grand Foyer with those of William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt, moving the former to a rarely used dining room.
The latest move follows Trump’s recent AI-generated video depicting Obama in jail, accompanied by accusations of treason over Russia’s 2016 election interference. Obama’s spokesperson dismissed the claims as baseless distractions.
The portrait controversy contrasts sharply with past criticisms of Obama—such as the 2014 uproar over his tan suit, which some deemed unprofessional. Today, the incident is remembered as trivial compared to modern political scandals.
While the White House has not officially commented, the reported portrait reshuffling adds to Trump’s history of symbolic gestures against predecessors. Observers note that future presidents could similarly remove Trump’s likeness from display.
The debate underscores how presidential legacies—whether through portraits or perceived slights—remain fiercely contested in Washington’s political theater.
