By removing former President Barack Obama’s official image from public view once more, President Donald Trump defied convention.
The portraits of the two most recent presidents are often displayed in the White House’s Grand Foyer for guests to view during events and tours. Obama and George W. Bush are the two most current pictures, since President Joe Biden’s is still unfinished.
A painting of Trump from the day of the July 2024 murder attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, was exchanged for Obama’s portrait in April. Bush’s portrait was relocated next to his father, George H.W. Bush, and Obama’s portrait was transferred to the location where Bush’s painting once hung.
Obama’s portrait has now been relocated once more to a less noticeable location.
Obama’s portrait was completely removed from the Grand Foyer, a White House official told PEOPLE on August 11. Today, it stands atop the Grand Staircase, which leads to the president’s personal residence. The painting is difficult to see because it hangs in a corner, out of the way of most people’s sight, and visitors are not permitted there. Dwight D. Eisenhower’s and the Bush presidents’ portraits are on the same wall as it, but they are more visible and hang lower.
According to CNN, Obama’s portrait is firmly out of tourists’ line of sight. Almost all alterations to the White House’s décor, no matter how minor, are approved by Trump, according to people within the building.
Obama’s spokeswoman refrained from commenting on the modification.
The White House serves as both a residence and a museum, and President Trump is infamous for his renovations.
A framed New York Post cover featuring his mug shot was displayed outside the Oval Office in the early days of his presidency. On the walls surrounding his desk, he also hung numerous historical paintings.
When Hillary Clinton’s image was taken down from the East Wing in June, Trump replaced it with a painting of the American flag over his face by MAGA Angelo and a portrait of former First Lady Patricia Nixon.
While it’s common for presidents to rearrange artwork when they take office, the White House’s public spaces typically pay homage to American history.
In April, the Wall Street Journal revealed that Trump requested that John Icart, his Mar-a-Lago cabinet colleague, add gold accents to the White House. This included gold coasters bearing Trump’s name, a gold Trump crest on a doorway, and gold carvings on the fireplace in the Oval Office.
The White House Rose Gardenlawn, constructed during the administration of President John F. Kennedy, was also recently covered by Trump. He revealed plans to enlarge the White House compound by constructing a new ballroom that would be 90,000 square feet.
