Featured Image Credit: X/The White House
Topics: Donald Trump, US News, Politics, Barack Obama
Brenna Cooper
Topics: Donald Trump, US News, Politics, Barack Obama
When he's not busy declaring a trade war on various nations of the world and musing about the annexation of Greenland, it would seem that Donald Trump has been busy redecorating the interior of the White House.
Following his inauguration back in January, Trump wasted no time in adding his own personal stamp to the US presidential building, which included scrubbing any Biden-era decorations and hoisting up flags at every opportunity.
The official White House social media account has now revealed the latest change made by the 47th U.S. President, which is replacing a portrait of former leader Barack Obama with a painting of the moments following his infamous assassination attempt.
The change was shared in a video on X, alongside the caption: "Some new artwork at the White House."
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For those unfamiliar, or who may have forgotten, the events of a failed assassination attempt against Trump, let's do a quick recap.
On 13 July, 2024, Trump had been delivering a speech at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania when he was shot by gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks.
One bullet would get as close as grazing the now-president's upper right ear before security were able to fling themselves on stage.
Trump then stood up and raised his fist in the air while blood streamed down his face. His cry of 'Fight, fight, fight' as the image was taken would alter become a rallying call for supporters of his presidential bid.
The White House said the portrait was created by Marc Lipp and was donated to the residence by Andrew from the Blue Blue Gallery in Delray Beach, Florida, AP reports.
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According to a report from New York Times, it's unusual for a sitting US president to hang a painting of themselves while in office, with the outlet adding that historians were unable to find another instance where this has happened.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later defended the decision to hang up the artwork, saying the building is the 'executive mansion is the president’s home, and he has the right to make changes as other presidents have in the past'.
"President Trump decided to temporarily display this painting, which represents a pivotal moment in history when he nearly lost his life," Leavitt added.
Press aide Harrison Fields would later confirm (via MailOnline) the Obama portrait was moved to a different part of the White House, sharing a photo of its new location on the 'Entrance Hall of the White House State Floor'.