Donald Trump is facing widespread criticism after new plaques containing disparaging descriptions of former US presidents were installed beneath their portraits at the White House. The additions form part of what the administration has described as a revamped presidential display, but critics argue the move undermines the dignity traditionally associated with the office and the building itself.
The plaques, several of which are reported to have been written or approved by Trump, offer blunt and highly partisan characterisations of his predecessors. One plaque beneath the portrait representing former president Joe Biden reportedly labels him 'the worst President in American history,' while another describes Barack Obama as 'one of the most divisive political figures' the country has seen. In Biden's case, the traditional portrait has also been replaced with an image of an autopen, a decision that has further fuelled controversy.
Trump has added new plaques under his ‘presidential walk of fame’ in the White House.
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) December 17, 2025
On Obama: “Barack Hussein Obama was the first Black President…One of the most divisive political figures in American history.”
On Biden: “Sleepy Joe Biden was, by far, the worst President in… pic.twitter.com/h43jMdPPgL
WH has installed a series of plaques under Trump's new “Presidential Walk of Fame."
— Vaughn Hillyard (@VaughnHillyard) December 17, 2025
On Biden: “Sleepy Joe Biden was, by far, the worst President"
On Obama: “One of the most divisive political figures in American History...creation of the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax" pic.twitter.com/BjT19R4waL
This is a national disgrace. The White House is not Trump’s personal shrine or a revenge exhibit. Installing plaques attacking multiple former presidents turns the people’s house into a monument to spite, lies, and authoritarian ego. History isn’t rewritten with insults bolted to… pic.twitter.com/wK6qdQx8vB
— Carolyn Barber, MD (@cbarbermd) December 17, 2025
This isn’t AI.
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) December 18, 2025
Get a cup of coffee, sit down, exhale and read these plaques Trump has added to Presidential portraits in the White House Walk of Fame. pic.twitter.com/d2GgGR8VLN
Donald Trump has just totally trashed the White House, architecturally and culturally. As an American, I find it all so offensive.
— Jeremy Wilcox (@jwilcox79) December 17, 2025
But look at these plaques for Biden... this is genuinely disgraceful & psychotic, whatever you thought of his presidency. https://t.co/u6rzSbkshB pic.twitter.com/XsLbK3FzwF
Historians and political observers have noted that the White House has long served as a symbol of continuity and institutional respect across administrations, regardless of party affiliation. Past presidents have largely avoided overtly editorialising the legacies of those who came before them within the building's public spaces, making the new plaques a sharp departure from precedent.
