Washington, D.C. — In a move that has stirred political chatter and symbolic debate, former U.S. Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and George H. W. Bush have had their official portraits shifted away from the White House’s most prominent public spaces to a location few visitors will ever see — the top of the Grand Staircase, a private area of the presidential residence.
According to reports, the decision, reportedly approved by President Donald Trump, means the portraits are now in a section accessed only by the First Family, select White House staff, and Secret Service agents. The relocation removes the artworks from the view of thousands of tourists and guests who typically pass through the State Floor during public tours and official events.
From the Grand Foyer to the Grand Staircase
This is not the first time Obama’s portrait has been repositioned during Trump’s tenure. Back in April 2025, the White House replaced Obama’s prime spot in the Grand Foyer with a painting of Trump himself — specifically, an image capturing the moment he raised his fist after surviving an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024.
Obama’s portrait was moved across the foyer to replace George W. Bush’s position, while Bush’s image, along with that of his father, George H. W. Bush, was shifted toward a lesser-seen staircase area.
Now, in August 2025, all three have been moved even further — up the Grand Staircase — beyond the reach of public view entirely.
Breaking with Tradition
White House protocol traditionally gives the two most recent former presidents the most prominent placement in the State Floor’s Grand Foyer, serving as a gesture of respect and continuity. The latest change marks a clear departure from that practice and comes at a time when tensions between Trump and Obama remain publicly visible.
Notably, a portrait of former President Joe Biden has yet to be completed, leaving an unusual gap in the lineup.
Symbolism and Speculation
The decision has fueled speculation among political observers about whether the move is driven by aesthetics, space management, or personal politics. Critics see it as an intentional sidelining of Trump’s predecessors — particularly Obama, who has been openly critical of Trump’s presidency — while supporters argue the president has every right to decide how the residence is presented.
For now, visitors to the White House will find no trace of the last three presidents in the areas they are allowed to explore — their images now hang quietly in a corner where only a select few will pass.
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