US President Donald Trump has ordered the relocation of official portraits of former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and George H.W. Bush from the White House's prominent public viewing areas to a restricted-access stairwell, CNN reported, citing sources. The move, which breaks with longstanding tradition, ensures the portraits will no longer be visible to the thousands of daily White House visitors, remaining accessible only to the First Family, Secret Service, and select staff.
This marks the second relocation for Obama's portrait since April, when it was moved from the Grand Foyer to make way for a painting depicting Trump's survival of an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania. The latest decision comes amid escalating tensions between Trump and his predecessors - he recently accused Obama administration officials of "treason" for allegedly fabricating Russia election interference claims in 2016, prompting the Justice Department to convene a grand jury investigation.
The Bush family has also been a frequent target of Trump's criticism, with the late George H.W. Bush privately calling Trump a "blowhard" and publicly supporting Hillary Clinton in 2016, while Trump has repeatedly dismissed George W. Bush as a "failed and boring" president. White House observers note the portrait relocations reflect Trump's hands-on approach to White House aesthetics and his combative relationship with predecessors.
By tradition, the most recent former president's portrait occupies the most visible position near the Executive Residence entrance. Notably, former President Biden's official portrait has yet to be completed and installed. The White House has not issued an official statement regarding the portrait rearrangements, which critics view as another example of Trump weaponizing presidential authority against political rivals.
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