The White House has relocated the official portrait of former President Barack Obama to a different spot in the East Room, replacing it with an artwork featuring President Donald Trump with his fist raised, taken shortly after the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, last year.
The new portrait seems to be inspired by a photograph of then-candidate Trump, bloodied and encircled by Secret Service agents, still on stage following the shooting incident at his campaign event. That image, combined with Trump’s rallying cry to “fight, fight, fight,” became symbolic of his campaign for a second term.
The White House announced the change through a short video shared on X on Friday, which included a message stating, “Some new artwork at the White House.”
A representative for Obama did not promptly reply to a request for comment on Friday evening.
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The new painting of Trump occupies a location typically designated for the latest official presidential portrait. Former President Joe Biden, who departed from office in January, has not yet had an official portrait created.
Traditionally, the portraits displayed in this area — adjacent to the East Room in the foyer just inside the White House — are those of the most recent presidents. However, this tradition is flexible, as explained by a former White House official to NBC News. The current president has the authority to instruct the curator to rearrange the artworks.
The former official pointed out that during his initial term, Trump relocated the portraits of former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
Trump has yet to receive an official portrait from his first term, which is typically unveiled during the presidency of his successor. At that time, the Biden administration suggested inquiries about the matter be directed to the White House Historical Association, which has been responsible for acquiring portraits of presidents and first ladies since 1965.
Obama’s portrait wasn’t the only one shifted during the recent redecorating by Trump. The 44th president’s portrait was moved to the location previously held by George W. Bush’s, whose portrait now occupies a spot in the staircase, according to a White House official.
White House deputy press secretary Harrison Fields shared a photo of Obama’s portrait in its new location on Friday.
Some Republicans expressed their approval regarding the new decor. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a strong ally of Trump, shared a side-by-side image comparing the area with Obama’s portrait and Trump’s, commenting, “Much better,” in her post.
This replacement marks the latest chapter in a series of unexpected portrait-related occurrences. Last month, Trump requested the removal of a painting of himself displayed in the Colorado State House — it was promptly taken down — and in January, a portrait of former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Mark Milley suddenly vanished from a designated wall at the Pentagon.
