Donald Trump exiled the presidential portrait of his predecessor Barack Obama to a less prominent position, out of view from thousands of visitors who tour the White House every day.
The portraits of Trump’s other recent predecessors, including former President George W. Bush and his father George H.W. Bush have also been removed from prominent areas of the White House, according to a report from CNN.
Sources told the outlet that Trump personally ordered his staffers to move Obama’s portrait to the top of the Grand Staircase leading to the White House residence.
This area is restricted to Secret Service, the first family, and only a select White House staff.
Moreover, both Bush portraits have joined Obama’s painting in the same obscure staircase away from the eyes of thousands of White House visitors.
The move sparked outrage from Trump’s fiercest critics.
Historically, White House tradition has been to place portraits of recent former presidents in prominent areas visible to guests at the White House.
Camille MacKenzie, founder of the anti-Trump New Patriot Foundation, posted on X: ‘I don’t know if this is verified or not, but given Trump’s personality and the rest of the decorating he’s done in the [White House] then it sounds very likely.
Barack Obama’s presidential was moved over the weekend to a less visible area of the White House
Trump moved Obama’s portrait in the grand foyer of the White House in April, replacing it with a portrait of himself
‘They’ve already pulled down multiple portraits and put up ridiculous artwork that resembles the AI-generated photos of himself that he loves so much.’
Other Democrats on social media reacted by bashing Trump for his ‘petty move’ against Obama.
‘Imagine being this insecure,’ wrote podcaster Ryan Shead on X. ‘The area is rarely seen by the public.’
‘This is a petty move to appease low IQ Trump muppets while pushing this traitor narrative.’
Majid M. Padellan, who goes by the username BrooklynDad_Defiant, claimed Trump’s latest snub of Obama was nothing more than ‘petty trolling.’
So… he can’t lower prices. He can’t end the Ukraine war in 24 hours. He WON’T release Epstein files,’ Padellan wrote. ‘But he can do petty trolling like hiding Obama’s and Bush’s portraits, like a jealous 12-year-old?
‘That’s what you voted for, MAGA? Worst. President. Ever.’
Meanwhile, Rob Smith, a self-described proud Democrat, reacted by noting Trump, ‘is truly petty.’
Trump and Obama’s relationship has been marked by tension for years ever since the 2016 election
The decision to move Obama’s portrait was reportedly ordered directly by Trump, further highlighting the contentious relationship between the 44th and 47th presidents.
The Obama portrait, by Robert McCurdy, is notable for containing various hidden meanings, including in its white background, the wrinkles on the president’s suit and his graying hair.
McMurdy, who has painted other world leaders including Nelson Mandela, is known for painting his subjects on white backgrounds – but this technique was a novelty for a presidential portrait.
‘They have plain white backgrounds, nobody gestures, there are no props, because we’re not here to tell the story of the person that’s sitting for them. We’re here to create an encounter between the viewer and the sitter,’ McCurdy said in an interview with the White House Historical Association.
‘The viewer will bring their emotional and historical package to that moment, and it will be different for every single one.’
McMurdy’s hyper-realistic style, including Obama’s gray hair and wrinkles on his suit, suggests that he does not shy away from the realities of a president’s grueling time in office.
Presidents are known for aging dramatically while in office.
‘What I love about Robert’s work is that he paints people exactly the way they are, for better or worse. He captures every wrinkle on your face, every crease in your shirt. You’ll note that he refused to hide any of my gray hairs,’ Obama joked at the unveiling in 2022.
This is not the first time Trump has moved Obama’s portrait around the White House.
Back in April, the White House moved Obama’s portrait from the left-hand side of the White House Grand Foyer to the right-hand side of the entryway, near the piano.
Obama’s likeness was replaced by a painting of President Donald Trump shouting ‘fight, fight, fight’ during his first assassination attempt.
The president is directly involved with almost every detail regarding the aesthetic and styling of the White House no matter how big or small, according to a CNN report.
Previously, Trump inserted a self portrait in the White House right next to his former 2016 rival Hillary Clinton.
An April photo of the Trump painting shows it in between a portrait of First Lady Barbara Bush and her predecessor Clinton.
The self portrait is a close up of Trump’s face imposed over with the America flag’s stars and stripes.
Trump’s latest slight against Obama showcases the tensions between the two presidents in recent months.
Earlier this month, Trump accused Obama and his members of his administration of committing treason following the result of the 2016 election.
Trump is directly involved with all changes to White House decor
Obama’s office issued a response to Trump’s claims calling them ‘bizarre’ and ‘a weak attempt at distraction.’
Attorney General Pam Bondi later ordered DOJ prosecutors to start a grand jury probe into allegations that top Obama officials manufactured intelligence regarding Russia’s involvement in the 2016 election.
For years, Trump’s relationship with the Bush family has been marked by tensions.
Before passing away in 2018, George H.W. Bush referred to Trump as a ‘blowhard’ and backed Clinton during the 2016 race.
Meanwhile, neither George W. Bush, nor his wife Laura, endorsed Trump during the 2020 or 2024 presidential races.
