The official portrait of former President Barack Obama, once prominently displayed in the White House, has been relocated to a less visible spot atop the Grand Staircase, illustrating the ongoing tensions between him and current President Donald Trump. This shift also applies to the portraits of the Bushes, reflecting Trump’s strained relationships with both former administrations.
Sources indicate that this decision, made at Trump’s direction, places Obama’s portrait out of sight from the thousands of daily visitors to the White House. While restricted access limits visibility, the portraits of both George W. Bush and his father have similarly been relocated to the stairwell area. Trump’s involvement in these aesthetic decisions at the White House is noted to be extensive.
Previously, in April, the Obama portrait was moved from the Grand Foyer, a significant gesture in the context of White House tradition, which typically places recent presidents’ portraits in prominent locations for guests and tours. Notably, a portrait of current President Joe Biden is still pending completion.
This latest relocation of Obama’s portrait adds to a backdrop of increased hostilities, as Trump recently accused Obama and his administration of treason during the 2016 election—a claim that drew sharp criticism from Obama’s camp, calling it “outrageous” and a “weak attempt at distraction.” This accusation also led to calls for legal investigations into the Obama administration regarding alleged fabricated intelligence related to Russian interference.
The relationship between Trump and the Bush family is similarly fraught. The late George H.W. Bush openly expressed his disdain for Trump, while George W. Bush has faced derogatory comments from Trump, yet he attended Trump’s 2025 inauguration, albeit skipping the post-ceremony luncheon.
CNN has sought comments from both the White House and the White House Historical Association, though Obama’s office has opted not to respond. During his presidency, Trump had previously replaced portraits of Bill Clinton and George W. Bush with images of earlier presidents, demonstrating a clear preference for a different historical narrative within the White House.
Traditionally, presidential portraits have been funded by the White House Historical Association since the 1960s, reflecting a more structured approach to their placement—a contrast to earlier, less formal practices where portraits were funded by Congress or the presidents themselves.
Overall, these recent actions highlight the ongoing political rifts and personal animosities that shape contemporary presidential legacies and the physical representation of these legacies within the White House.