
12/08/2025
Donald Trump has once again broken White House tradition by moving Barack Obama's official portrait to a hidden spot at the top of a private stairwell in the Executive Residence.
Normally, according to tradition, the most recent presidential portraits – currently Obama's and George W. Bush's – are displayed prominently in the Grand Foyer, a main public area where visitors can easily see them. However, Obama's portrait was first moved to make space for a painting of Trump himself and has now been placed in a less visible corner on the Grand Staircase, which is off-limits to visitors and far from public view.
This move breaks the usual protocol of honoring former presidents and their portraits. Trump has made many changes to White House decor, including adding gold accents and replacing other historic portraits. The decision to move Obama's portrait further out of sight reflects Trump's approach to the White House's art and history.