In a move that feels more like a scene from a political satire than real life, the White House has replaced Barack Obama’s official portrait in the Grand Foyer with a dramatic painting of Donald Trump. This new artwork captures Trump moments after surviving an assassination attempt during a 2024 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, depicting him with a bloodied face and raised fist. The painting, created by artist Marc Lipp and donated by Andrew Pollack, a MAGA school safety advocate, now occupies the prominent spot traditionally reserved for recent presidents.

Obama’s portrait hasn’t been discarded; it’s been relocated within the Grand Foyer, while George W. Bush’s portrait has been moved to a less prominent location near that of his father, George H.W. Bush. This reshuffling breaks with the longstanding tradition of displaying portraits of the two most recent presidents in the Grand Foyer.

Trump has just replaced President Obama’s official presidential portrait in the White House with a painting of himself. pic.twitter.com/ThQv1LgA7W

— No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen (@NoLieWithBTC) April 11, 2025

The White House has not provided an official explanation for this change. However, the decision has sparked discussions about the politicization of presidential portraiture and the departure from established norms. Critics argue that replacing Obama’s portrait with a depiction of Trump’s post-assassination attempt moment serves more as a political statement than a tribute to presidential history.

This isn’t the first time Trump has deviated from tradition regarding presidential portraits. During his previous term, he declined to host the Obamas for their portrait unveiling ceremony, a customary event where the current president honors their predecessor. The Obamas’ portraits were eventually unveiled during Joe Biden’s presidency in 2022.

The new Trump painting, based on a widely circulated photograph taken during the assassination attempt, is seen by some as an attempt to craft a narrative of resilience and defiance. Supporters view it as a symbol of strength, while critics see it as an overtly political move that undermines the apolitical nature of presidential portraiture.

As the White House continues to navigate the balance between tradition and personal expression, the replacement of Obama’s portrait with Trump’s dramatic depiction raises questions about the future of presidential customs and the messages conveyed through such symbolic gestures.

People on social media are livid:

So Trump ditched tradition, broke protocol, and took down Barack Obama’s portrait—just to hang his own.

Straight-up tin pot dictator energy. Insecure and petty to the end. 🫤 pic.twitter.com/wD3RhHzeQq

— Chris D. Jackson (@ChrisDJackson) April 11, 2025

Trump removing Barack Obama's portrait is a racist act. Done to intentionally diss our only Black President. Donald Trump is a racist bigot.

— D-LIB (@whittler_e) April 12, 2025

Trump can replace a million portraits, he'll still never have the respect, the crowds, or the manhood that Obama had. pic.twitter.com/40T9MtANxu

— 💙🌊 Zero Dark Twenty-Nine 🌊🌊🖋️🧫 (@herotimeszero) April 12, 2025

Donald trump replaced President Obama’s portrait with a picture of his STAGED assassination attempt, because Donald trump is a racist piece of shit and we are living on the shittiest possible timeline. https://t.co/VCzuvx91si

— 😱 Scary Larry 😱 🇺🇦✊🏻🇺🇸🗽 (@aintscarylarry) April 11, 2025

There’s probably no greater symbol of Trump’s defiling of the USA than hanging a portrait of his fake assassination attempt in the White House. It has it all, fake blood, punk ass Secret Service and the sort of ‘tough guy’ iconography that appeals to American idiots everywhere.

— NoelCaslerComedy🌙 (@caslernoel) April 11, 2025

Trump has just replaced President Obama’s official presidential portrait in the White House with a painting of himself, because he is a petulant child. pic.twitter.com/nKyQl2Iy3k

— •spooky•girl•cassiopeia•™ (@sadgirlcassi) April 12, 2025

Trump took down Obama’s official portrait and replaced it with this fucking garbage. Racist to the core. Fascist to the core. Ugliest fucking soul currently alive. https://t.co/ZMvsnCkE3e

— Fake Joe Biden (@Fake_Biden) April 11, 2025