Controversial White House Portrait Swap Sparks Debate

The White House has replaced the official portrait of former President Barack Obama with a new painting of President Donald Trump, depicting him raising his fist after surviving an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024. This move has sparked controversy as it breaks the tradition of displaying portraits of the two most recent presidents in the Grand Foyer. The Obama portrait has been relocated to the entrance hall of the State Floor, while George W. Bush’s portrait has been moved next to his father’s. The Trump painting, inspired by a photograph taken at the Butler rally, was hung without fanfare and is part of a broader reshuffle of artwork within the White House. This change reflects Trump's ongoing rivalry with Obama, as seen during his first term when he also replaced portraits of recent predecessors.