Picture of Trump after the assassination attempt displaces Obama portrait at the White House
Share this @internewscast.com

The White House says Obama’s portrait is still in the foyer, but was moved to the opposite wall where a portrait of former President George W. Bush used to hang.

WASHINGTON D.C., DC — The White House on Friday hung a painting of President Donald Trump depicting a moment after an assassination attempt against him last summer — bumping the official portrait of one of his predecessors, Barack Obama.

Hanging a new presidential likeness without advance notice is unusual, and Trump putting himself in that space could be seen as him breaking with norms yet again. By tradition, portraits of the two most recent former presidents go on display in the foyer — and Trump is in the unique position of also being a former president.

Obama’s portrait went on display in the foyer of the State Floor, near the staircase to the president’s residence, after it was unveiled in 2022. The White House said it is still in the foyer, but has been moved to the opposite wall, where a portrait of former President George W. Bush used to hang.

Plans are to move Bush’s portrait nearer to his father’s, former President George H.W. Bush, which is on the staircase to the residence.

The White House announced the unexpected change in a post on its official account on X with a photo of the new painting that said, “Some new artwork at the White House” and a pair of emoji eyes. The painting captures the aftermath of an attempt on Trump’s life during a July rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump was wounded in the ear and thrust his fist skyward as he said, “fight, fight, fight!”

Those words became a key rallying cry of his successful reelection campaign.

The original painting on canvas was done by artist Marc Lipp and was donated to the White House by Andrew Pollock via the Blue Gallery in Delray Beach, Florida, the White House said.

Lipp’s online biography as part of the Blue Gallery website describes him as “a Modern Pop Art who translates his love for art through paintings and sculptures.” Pollack is an author and school safety advocate whose daughter Meadow was among the students killed in the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

Regardless of party affiliation, the sitting president had often genially hosted his immediate predecessor for the unveiling of his portrait, but Trump did not extend that courtesy to Obama.

It was left to then-President Joe Biden, and his wife, Jill, to welcome former President Obama and his wife, former first lady Michelle Obama, to the White House for the unveiling of their portraits in 2022, as Democrat Bill Clinton did for Republican George W. Bush and the younger President Bush did for Clinton.

The Obamas hosted George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, at the White House for their portrait unveiling in 2012.

There was an unexplained pause when Trump did not host Obama during his first term.

Biden left office nearly three months ago and it likely will be a few years before his and the former first lady’s portraits are commissioned and completed.

Trump has involved himself with paintings outside of the White House, too.

Last month, a painting of Trump that had hung with other presidential portraits at the Colorado state Capitol was taken down after he complained that his likeness was “purposefully distorted.”

The White House portrait collection starts with George Washington, America’s first president. Congress bought his portrait.

Other portraits of early presidents and first ladies often came to the White House as gifts. Since the 1960s, the White House Historical Association has paid for most of the paintings. The first portraits financed by the association were of Lyndon Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson, and John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy, said Stewart McLaurin, president of the private, nonprofit organization established by first lady Kennedy.

President and first lady portraits are seen by millions of White House visitors, though not all are on display. Some are undergoing conservation or are in storage.

Those on display line hallways and rooms in public areas of the mansion, such as the Ground Floor and its Vermeil and China Rooms, and the State Floor one level above, which has the famous Green, Blue and Red Rooms, the East Room and State Dining Room.

Superville reported from West Palm Beach, Florida.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Burrow Shares Decision to Cancel Purchase of $3 Million Memorabilia Item

NFL star Joe Burrow has revealed the one reason why he did…

ABC in turmoil as veteran star’s role challenged by emerging talent

ABC News is unsettled by the impact of NBC Nightly News’s Tom…

Trump’s Remarks to Obama at Jimmy Carter’s Funeral

During Jimmy Carter’s funeral back in January, Donald Trump extended an invitation…

American Beverage Association: Transparency Effort Driven by Consumer Influence, MAHA

The American Beverage Association’s (ABA) latest transparency initiative, GoodtoKnowFacts.org, was inspired by…

Lauren Sanchez Celebrates in Paris with Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn

Newly married Lauren Sanchez made a striking appearance during an evening out…

Macron Shares a Moment with Kate at a Star-Studded Banquet Featuring Jagger and Elton

A winking Emmanuel Macron bonded with the Princess of Wales after clinking…

Mother recounts how her daughters stayed safe at Camp Mystic during Texas floods

A couple whose three daughters were at Camp Mystic during the devastating…

Senator Padilla Criticizes Trump Administration for Highlighting Costs of Mass Illegal Immigration

On Tuesday’s broadcast of MSNBC’s “The Briefing,” Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) said…

Specialists Unveil the Ideal Exercise Routine for Effective Weight Loss

Finding it difficult to keep up with your summer workout goals? Your…

First Glimpse of Mary Lou Retton’s DUI Mugshots Surfaces

Olympian legend Mary-Lou Retton appears noticeably weary in her mugshot after being…

Wimbledon’s American Duo Sets Sights on UK Legends

Wimbledon’s American power couple have poked the bear by taking aim at…

Celebrity Offspring Sparks Online Frenzy with Lavish Lifestyle Display

A daughter of two A-list stars, who was once dubbed the ‘ultimate…