Trump Installs Controversial Plaques Beneath Portraits of Former Presidents

U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the placement of plaques with critical and mocking messages beneath the portraits of several former presidents at the White House, a decision that has triggered a controversy due to its political and symbolic tone.

The inscriptions were first noticed by the press on Wednesday and are part of a space the president himself has called the “Presidential Walk of Fame.”

The gallery was installed last September along the West Wing colonnade and features portraits of past occupants of the presidency.

However, the new plaques go beyond historical facts and instead include value judgments, particularly harsh in the case of Democratic former presidents—fueling the Trump presidential portraits controversy.

Trump Presidential Portraits Controversy Includes Direct Criticism of Joe Biden

BREAKING🚨: President Trump has installed plaques beneath portraits of several former presidents as part of the new «Presidential Walk of Fame» along the White House colonnade. 🇺🇸

A classy tribute to our nation’s leaders—making the White House great again! 🏛️✨ pic.twitter.com/WBl9jmO0Cg

— Officer Lew (@officer_Lew) December 17, 2025

One of the most striking plaques is dedicated to Joe Biden, who served as president from 2021 to 2025 and defeated Trump in the 2020 election.

The inscription states that “Sleepy Joe Biden was, by far, the worst president in the history of the United States,” a phrase that reflects the confrontational tone that has long characterized the political relationship between the two.

Instead of a traditional portrait, the image associated with Biden is a photograph of an autopen.

This visual choice alludes to Trump’s repeated claims that his predecessor was not fully aware of the documents he signed during his presidency.

Remarks Targeting Barack Obama

#USA Trump installs plaques on portraits of Biden and Obama that ridicule them https://t.co/cGO4gmN9CU

— Proceso Digital (@ProcesoDigital) December 17, 2025

The plaque corresponding to Barack Obama, president from 2009 to 2017, also contains a critical message.

It uses his full name, “Barack Hussein Obama,” and describes him as “one of the most divisive political figures in the history of the United States.”

The use of Obama’s middle name and the wording of the inscription reinforce the political nature of the exhibit, which goes beyond a historical display to become a narrative shaped by the current presidency—deepening the Trump presidential portraits controversy.

Different Tones for Other Former Presidents

The tone of the plaques varies depending on the former president being referenced.

In the case of Bill Clinton (1993–2001), the inscription acknowledges an “excellent” economic record while also mentioning his personal scandals and recalling that his wife, Hillary Clinton, lost the 2016 presidential election to Trump.

By contrast, the plaque dedicated to Republican President Ronald Reagan (1981–1989), a figure admired by Trump, is clearly complimentary.

It states that Reagan “won the Cold War” and adds that he “was a fan of President Donald J. Trump long before President Trump’s historic campaign for the White House.”

Symbolic Changes Inside the White House Cause a Controversy

The “Presidential Walk of Fame” is part of a broader series of changes promoted by Trump to leave his personal mark on the official residence.

Among the most significant projects is the ongoing construction of a large ballroom, which required the demolition of the historic East Wing of the presidential mansion.

These decisions reflect a clear intention to redefine iconic White House spaces, blending architectural alterations with political messaging that reinforces the president’s personal view of the nation’s recent history—at the center of the Trump presidential portraits controversy.

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