The Trump administration on Friday announced it had relocated the official portrait of former President Barack Obama from its position in a White House hallway, replacing it with a new painting of President Donald Trump, inspired by a photograph taken during a 2024 assassination attempt on then-presidential candidate Trump in Pennsylvania.
Obama’s portrait was moved across the Grand Foyer to the position previously held by President George W Bush. Bush’s portrait, in turn, was relocated to a nearby staircase alongside the portrait of his father, former President George HW Bush.
The White House revealed the change in a short video posted on X, accompanied by the caption: “Some new artwork at the White House.”
The Trump painting now occupies the space traditionally reserved for the most recent official presidential portrait. According to White House custom, the portraits are displayed prominently at the entrance of the executive mansion, visible to guests during official events.
Former President Joe Biden, who left office in January, does not yet have an official portrait, as it has yet to be completed.
The president has the authority to direct the White House curator to rearrange artwork. During his first term, Trump had previously moved the portraits of former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W Bush. Trump himself does not yet have an official portrait from his first term, which would typically have been unveiled during his successor’s administration.
