In a departure from longstanding tradition, the White House has replaced former President Barack Obama's official portrait in the Grand Foyer with a new painting depicting President Donald Trump moments after surviving an assassination attempt during a July 2024 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The dramatic image shows Trump, bloodied but defiant, raising his fist as Secret Service agents intervene. Obama's portrait has been relocated within the foyer, now hanging opposite its original location.
Some new artwork at the White House 👀 pic.twitter.com/l6u5u7k82T
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 11, 2025
On Friday, the White House officially bumped Obama’s official portrait and placed the iconic photo of Trump narrowly surviving an assassination attempt with his fists in the air. It is important to note that by putting the new painting of Trump in the Grand Foyer, the 47th president is once again breaking with presidential norms. Traditionally, the space is reserved for portraits of the two most recent former presidents — a group Trump technically belongs to — making the move both unusual and symbolically bold.
White House spokesperson Harrison Fields stated on social media that the portrait of President Obama is still displayed in the Entrance Hall on the State Floor, now occupying the space where a painting of former President George W. Bush once hung.
Obama remains in the Entrance Hall of the White House State Floor. pic.twitter.com/lOLv7371Cd
— Harrison Fields (@HFields47) April 11, 2025
This isn't the only change President Trump has made to the White House since returning to office. He replaced the red curtains in the Oval Office with gold drapes that previously hung during President Bill Clinton’s tenure. He also swapped the existing rug for a gold sunburst design and added new cream-colored couches, similar to those used during the Bush administration. In addition, Trump installed a state-of-the-art golf simulator for indoor practice. First Lady Melania Trump also made updates to reflect her personal style, including new wallpaper in the Red Room and updated drapes in the Green Room. She renovated the Queen’s Bathroom and replaced the Diplomatic Room rug with one bordered by 50 flowers, symbolizing each U.S. state.
