5 days ago
Report: Trump moves Obama, Bush portraits to hidden stairwell
Donald Trump exiled the presidential portrait of his predecessor Barack Obama to a less prominent position, out of view from thousands of visitors who tour the White House every day. The portraits of Trump's other recent predecessors, including former President George W. Bush and his father George H.W. Bush have also been removed from prominent areas of the White House, according to a report from CNN.
Sources told the outlet that Trump personally ordered his staffers to move Obama's portrait to the top of the Grand Staircase leading to the White House residence. This area is restricted to Secret Service, the first family, and only a select White House staff.
Moreover, both Bush portraits have joined Obama's painting in the same obscure staircase away from the eyes of thousands of White House visitors. Historically, White House protoco l has been to place portraits of recent former presidents in prominent areas visible to guests at the White House.
Back in April, the White House moved Obama's portrait from the left-hand side of the White House Grand Foyer to the right-hand side of the entryway, near the piano. Obama's likeness was replaced by a painting of President Donald Trump shouting 'fight, fight, fight' during his first assassination attempt.
The president is directly involved with almost every detail regarding the aesthetic and styling of the White House, no matter how big or small, according to a CNN report. Previously, Trump inserted a self portrait in the White House right next to his former 2016 rival Hillary Clinton.
An April photo of the Trump painting shows it in between a portrait of First Lady Barbara Bush and her predecessor, Clinton. The self portrait is a close up of Trump's face imposed over with the America flag's stars and stripes.
Trump's latest slight against Obama showcases the tensions between the two presidents in recent months. Earlier this month, Trump accused Obama and his members of his administration of committing treason following the result of the 2016 election.
Obama's office issued a response to Trump's claims calling them 'bizarre' and 'a weak attempt at distraction.' Attorney General Pam Bondi later ordered DOJ prosecutors to start a grand jury probe into allegations that top Obama officials manufactured intelligence regarding Russia's involvement in the 2016 election.
