A video shared on X has sparked a large online debate after showing that President Donald Trump has apparently moved former President Barack Obama‘s official portrait from its traditional spot in the White House. The clip shows Obama’s portrait hanging partway up a staircase, which is a stark contrast to where recent presidential portraits are usually displayed.
According to Newsweek, podcast host Benny Johnson shared the video on X, filming from inside the White House and calling the portrait’s placement “the funniest thing.” He suggested that Obama’s portrait is no longer in the White House Grand Foyer, which is the usual location for recent presidents’ portraits.
The video quickly gathered over 2.2 million views, sparking divided reactions across the platform. The space where Obama’s portrait traditionally hung in the main entrance hall has been filled by a painting depicting President Trump during the June 2024 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. US artist Marc Lipp created the painting, which shows Trump during that moment.
Replacing a former president’s portrait with a personal piece is a bold and symbolic move
The placement of presidential portraits in the White House is usually treated as a historical matter, not a political one. Because of this, any change to a former president’s portrait tends to attract significant attention, especially during politically charged times. Trump has also drawn attention recently for his aggressive stance on the Iran war situation.
This is not the first time the White House’s decor under President Trump has made headlines. In 2025, decorations included a Lego portrait of President Trump. More recently, a photograph of Russian leader Vladimir Putin displayed in the White House also sparked outrage. At the time, a White House official explained that “The photos around the complex are constantly updated and rotated as new photos are captured.”
Y’all have to see what Trump has done with the Obama portrait at the White House …
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) March 17, 2026pic.twitter.com/pCGcvbGEOd
Johnson’s video prompted a wide range of responses from X users. Some criticized the move as disrespectful. One user wrote, “Irrespective of political affiliations, it’s not good making fun of a former president.” Another commented, “You guys might just literally be the most pathetic and petty group of humans to ever exist…”
Here is the other location Trump thought of. pic.twitter.com/F0HKovcUU2
— darthjav (@darthjav) March 18, 2026
Others took a more supportive or dismissive tone. One user wrote, “Lmao that’s funny. I love it,” while another said, “Obama is lucky his portrait is even still in the White House!” Many comments accused President Trump of acting out of spite, while others felt the online reaction was completely overblown. Trump has similarly faced backlash for threatening repercussions over the UK’s Iran war stance.
You too, huh?
— Donamaria (@FraidNotz) March 18, 2026pic.twitter.com/o6g7qIzxoH
As of now, neither the White House nor President Trump has publicly commented on the video or the specific placement of Obama’s portrait. It remains unclear whether the portrait’s current position reflects a permanent change, a temporary move, or part of a larger reorganization of artwork within the White House.
