Overview

• Reports on August 10 confirmed President Trump ordered Barack Obama’s official portrait to be relocated to the top landing of the Grand Staircase, removing it from public tours and most staff areas.
• The White House acknowledged the broader refresh with a social media post stating “Some new artwork at the White House” without detailing individual portrait placements.
• Former chief White House photographer Pete Souza criticized the repositioning on August 13, calling it “pretty petty” and asking “Petty or racist?” in an Instagram post.
• The relocation breaks a longstanding protocol that rotates former presidents’ portraits through the Grand Foyer, Cross Hall and Grand Staircase so recent occupants remain visible to visitors.
• Alongside Barack Obama’s portrait by Robert McCurdy, the official paintings of George W. Bush and George H. W. Bush were also moved above Dwight Eisenhower’s, altering the White House’s public display tradition.