Former President Donald Trump has again moved the official portrait of former President Barack Obama, placing it in a location off-limits to public visitors. The change was confirmed by CNN on Sunday, citing two sources familiar with the matter.
The portrait is now at the top of the Grand Staircase inside the White House, alongside the portraits of former Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush.
The area is part of the private residence and is restricted to the first family, U.S. Secret Service, and select staff — meaning it will no longer be visible to the thousands of guests who tour the building each year.
According to a source, the decision was made under Trump’s direction. A photograph obtained by CNN shows the Obama portrait in a corner at the stairwell landing. The space is not part of the public tour route, making the painting inaccessible to visitors.
Past Moves and Context
This is the second time Trump has relocated the portrait. In April, it was replaced in a public area with a photograph capturing the aftermath of the July 2024 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Presidential portraits carry symbolic weight, representing both the history of the office and the legacies of its occupants. Relocations or removals are often viewed as a reflection of how a current president wishes to present that history.
Allegations From Former Officials
Trump and his allies have long criticized Obama’s tenure, pointing to incidents such as the IRS targeting scandal, the “Fast and Furious” operation that resulted in the death of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry, and the origins of the Russia investigation.
On July 18, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released documents alleging that members of Obama’s national security team “manufactured and politicized intelligence” as part of an effort to undermine Trump after his 2016 victory. Gabbard later said she had referred Obama to the Justice Department for possible charges.
A Presidential Statement
While the White House has not commented on the relocation, the move underscores Trump’s hands-on approach to changes within the executive residence. Sources noted he is directly involved in decisions affecting both major renovations and small aesthetic details.
