President Donald Trump has once again broken from White House tradition, this time by moving former President Barack Obama’s official portrait to a spot far removed from public sight.
Traditionally, the two most recent presidential portraits are displayed prominently on either side of the Grand Foyer for visitors to see during tours and events. Since President Joe Biden’s portrait is still in progress, those spots had belonged to Obama and George W. Bush.
From the Grand Foyer to the Shadows
Back in April, Trump replaced Obama’s portrait with a painting of himself from the day of the July 2024 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. Obama’s portrait was then shifted across the foyer to where Bush’s had hung, while Bush’s was moved to another location alongside his father, George H.W. Bush.
Now, Obama’s painting has been moved again — and this time, it’s nearly invisible to the public.
On Monday, Aug. 11, a White House official confirmed to PEOPLE that the portrait has been removed from the Grand Foyer entirely and is now placed at the top of the Grand Staircase. This stairwell, which leads to the president’s private living quarters, is closed to visitors and partially blocked from view. Hung in a corner alongside portraits of Dwight D. Eisenhower and both Bushes — which are positioned lower — Obama’s image is, as CNN reported, “firmly out of view.”
According to insiders, Trump personally approves nearly every decorative change within the White House, no matter how minor. A spokesperson for Obama declined to comment on the matter.
Trump’s Personal Touch on the White House
Throughout his presidency, Trump has been known for leaving his mark on the White House, which serves as both a residence and a museum of American history. In his early weeks in office, a framed New York Post cover featuring his mug shot appeared just outside the Oval Office. He also crowded the walls around his desk with historic paintings.
In June, when Hillary Clinton’s portrait as first lady was taken down from the East Wing, it was replaced with a portrait of Patricia Nixon and a bold piece by “MAGA Angelo” depicting Trump’s face in an American flag pattern.
While presidents often rearrange art upon taking office, the publicly accessible spaces are traditionally curated to honor American heritage.
A Gold Makeover and Big Plans
In addition to shifting artwork, The Wall Street Journal reported in April that Trump brought in his Mar-a-Lago “gold guy,” cabinetmaker John Icart, to add gilded touches throughout the White House. These include ornate gold carvings for the Oval Office fireplace, a gold Trump crest in a doorway, and gold coasters bearing his last name.
Trump has also altered the historic White House Rose Garden, paving over the lawn installed during President John F. Kennedy’s era. Most recently, he announced plans for a major expansion of the White House complex, including a 90,000-square-foot ballroom.