Trump Quietly Moves Obama and Bush Portraits Out of Public View

In a move sparking both curiosity and controversy, President Donald Trump ordered the official White House portraits of Barack Obama and George W. Bush to be relocated not to a new display hall, but to a rarely used stairwell far from the public eye.

Traditionally, portraits of recent presidents are prominently displayed in the Grand Foyer or Cross Hall of the White House, where visiting dignitaries, guests, and the press can easily see them. But during Trump’s tenure, these two presidential portraits representing one Democrat and one Republican predecessor were quietly taken down from their high-profile spots.

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According to sources familiar with White House protocol, such a move is highly unusual. The relocation meant that during Trump’s presidency, guests and officials would no longer pass by the portraits of Obama and Bush during official tours or state events. Instead, the paintings were placed in an area mainly used by maintenance staff and rarely visited by the public.

Critics argue the decision reflects Trump’s often frosty relationships with both former presidents. While Trump’s clashes with Obama were public and frequent, his tensions with George W. Bush particularly over foreign policy and the Iraq War were quieter but still notable.

Supporters of Trump, however, dismissed the uproar, calling the move a personal choice with no political motive. “It’s the White House the sitting president decides what hangs where,” one ally noted.

Still, the symbolic nature of presidential portraits makes the action hard to ignore. For decades, they’ve been a visual reminder of America’s peaceful transfer of power, regardless of political differences. Moving them out of sight, some historians say, sends a very different message.

Also Read: 15 Years Ago Today: How Barack Obama Changed America Forever

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