BREAKING: White House swaps Barack Obama official portrait with painting of Donald trump after assassination attempt

White House Swaps Barack Obama’s Official Portrait With Painting of Donald Trump After Assassination Attempt, Stirring National Outcry

By Political Affairs Desk | April 12, 2025

In an unprecedented move that has ignited political firestorms across the country, the White House has quietly removed the official portrait of former President Barack Obama and replaced it with a newly commissioned painting of Donald J. Trump—just days after a failed assassination attempt on the 45th president.

The decision, confirmed by a White House spokesperson late Friday evening, is being called everything from a “symbolic gesture of solidarity” to a “deliberate insult to democratic tradition.”

A Swift and Symbolic Swap

The portrait of President Obama, which has hung in the White House’s Cross Hall since its official unveiling in 2022, was reportedly removed under cover of night and replaced with an oil painting of Donald Trump, flanked by the American flag and the presidential seal.

“This was a decision made to honor President Trump’s resilience in the face of a national tragedy,” said Press Secretary Amanda Rolston. “It symbolizes the strength, unity, and perseverance of the American spirit in moments of crisis.”

However, critics were quick to respond that the decision felt more political than patriotic.

Backlash From Both Sides

Within hours, political leaders, historians, and former Obama administration officials condemned the act as deeply disrespectful and alarmingly partisan.

“This is not about Trump. This is about tradition and decency,” said Valerie Jarrett, former senior advisor to Obama. “To remove the portrait of the nation’s first Black president in the midst of a national emergency, without explanation, reeks of political opportunism.”

Social media exploded with reactions. Hashtags like #PutObamaBack, #WhiteHousePowerGrab, and #TrumpPortraitGate trended within hours of the news breaking.

Even some moderate Republicans expressed discomfort with the move, calling it “tone-deaf” and “needlessly divisive at a time when the country should be focused on healing.”

Trump’s Inner Circle Reacts

Allies of Trump praised the portrait’s installation as “historic” and “long overdue,” with some citing it as a “necessary correction” to what they see as years of institutional neglect of Trump’s contributions.

“He survived an assassination attempt. He’s a living symbol of American strength,” said Rep. Marjorie Lowell (R-TX). “Putting up that portrait isn’t a power play—it’s a show of respect.”

Meanwhile, President Trump, currently recovering from minor injuries sustained in the attack, posted on Truth Social:

“Great honor. Beautiful painting. I look better than ever.”

Historians Warn of Troubling Precedent

Presidential portrait swaps are extremely rare and typically occur during official ceremonies well after a president has left office. According to White House historians, no modern administration has ever removed a predecessor’s portrait without bipartisan agreement or public transparency.

“This breaks with over a century of peaceful presidential transitions and visual continuity in the White House,” said Dr. Helen Grant, a historian at the Presidential Portrait Gallery. “It sends a message—not just to Americans, but to the world—that norms are now optional.”

What’s Next?

It remains unclear whether the portrait swap is permanent or temporary. The White House has refused to say whether President Biden was consulted, or if the Obama portrait will be reinstalled.

Meanwhile, former President Obama has not publicly commented on the decision, though sources say he is “deeply disappointed and disturbed.”

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As the nation grapples with political unrest and a shaken sense of normalcy, one thing is certain: the symbolic power of a painting on the wall can speak volumes—and right now, it’s speaking to a country increasingly divided.