President Trump has directed the relocation of official White House portraits of former Presidents Barack Obama, George H. W. Bush, and George W. Bush to the top of the Grand Staircase, a restricted area hidden from most visitors and guests.
Cue the leftist outrage.
The decision reflects escalating tensions following accusations by the President that Obama and his administration are guilty of treason for manufacturing intelligence on Russia's 2016 election interference. Trump has also had longstanding criticisms of the Bush political dynasty.
The portraits are now "out of view from thousands of visitors who tour the White House each day," according to sources who spoke to CNN.
Obama's portrait now hangs "at the top of the stairwell in a corner" and is "firmly out of view" for any visitor hoping to get a glimpse of the former President.
NEW: President Trump has moved Obama & Bush portraits to hidden stairwell, CNN reports pic.twitter.com/S4Q5x7p4yp
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) August 10, 2025
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It's not the first time Obama's portrait has been moved by President Trump, who, CNN reports, is involved in nearly every decision involving the decorating of the White House.
Back in April, RedState's Nick Arama noted that the portrait had been moved across the Grand Foyer of the White House and replaced by a much more powerful image - one of President Trump shortly after being shot in Butler, Pennsylvania, standing strong amidst the Secret Service agents and shouting, "Fight, fight, fight!"
Probably the most powerful image in American politics in modern history.
Some new artwork at the White House 👀 pic.twitter.com/l6u5u7k82T
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 11, 2025
One can almost imagine where the Obama portrait ends up by the time Trump's second term ends. It's reminiscent of Stephen Root's character Milton in "Office Space" having his desk constantly moved to more obscure sections of the workplace while clinging to his beloved red stapler.
Perhaps visitors will one day see Obama's picture hanging in the basement, or one of the White House restrooms.
It sounds like such a petty move ... and simply beautiful and hilarious all at once. But is it, really?
While CNN's assessment that the portraits are "hidden" is a reference to visitors strolling through on White House tours, as our friends at Twitchy note, a move to the Grand Staircase isn't quite as outrageous as they'd have you believe.
It's not really "hidden" at all. It is the primary ceremonial stairway connecting the State Floor to the Second Floor, and is used for the Presidential Entrance March during formal events like state dinners.
I'm sure Obama, narcissist that he is, would be thrilled only to be viewed by top dignitaries as opposed to the plebeians.
President Trump recently declared Obama's actions, in driving the Russia collusion hoax, as revealed by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, as "treason."
Gabbard released strong evidence showing the Obama administration's direct involvement in the 2016 post-presidential election Russia hoax.
She described the plot as the "most egregious weaponization and politicization of intelligence in American history," while declassifying a 2020 House Intelligence Committee report.
NOW - Trump says Obama committed "treason" and is "guilty." pic.twitter.com/3YRnQkupdV
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) July 22, 2025
"If you look at that, those papers, they have him stone cold. And it was President Obama," Trump told reporters.
"Look, he's guilty. It's not a question. I like to say, let's give it time, but it's there; he's guilty. They ... this was treason, this was every word you can think of."
Considering Obama's role in what CIA Director John Ratcliffe has described as "the greatest scandal of a lifetime," the former President should be thrilled his portrait is hanging anywhere in the White House.
Editor's Note: This article was updated post-publication for clarity.
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