The White House has unveiled a starkly revisionist take on American presidential history, installing new plaques beneath official portraits that reflect Donald Trump's personal and often scathing opinions of his predecessors and rivals.
A 'Walk of Fame' Transformed into a Political Battleground
On Wednesday, officials completed revisions to what is now termed the 'Presidential Walk of Fame' along the colonnade outside the West Wing. The updated display features expanded explanatory text beneath each portrait, but rather than offering neutral historical context, the plaques adopt a pointed, opinionated tone reminiscent of Trump's own social media posts.
The move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reshape the White House environment in its own image. The plaques permanently enshrine the former president's assessments, turning a traditional display of historical continuity into a platform for contemporary political grievances.
The Targets of Trump's Wrath: Biden, Obama, and the Clintons
The most vitriolic criticism is reserved for Trump's immediate predecessor and 2024 election opponent, Joe Biden. His plaque reads: "Sleepy Joe was, by far, the worst President in American History." It further claims he took office "as a result of the most corrupt Election ever seen in the United States." Notably, Biden's portrait has been removed entirely, replaced by an image of an autopen—a device Republicans allege his aides used to sign documents on his behalf.
Barack Obama is described as "one of the most divisive political figures," with his signature healthcare law mocked as the "'Unaffordable' Care Act." The text credits this policy with causing Democratic losses in Congress.
The entry for Bill Clinton downplays his achievements, attributing legislative success to "Republicans in Congress" and highlighting Trump's decision to end the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). It also includes a pointed reference to Trump's 2016 victory: "President Clinton’s wife, Hillary, lost the Presidency to President Donald J. Trump!"
Praise for Allies and a Slipping Political Grip
By contrast, presidents viewed favourably by Trump receive glowing tributes. Ronald Reagan's plaque is filled with praise, calling him "The Great Communicator" and noting his 1984 landslide re-election. It also makes a personal claim: "He was a fan of President Donald J. Trump long before President Trump’s Historic run for the White House. Likewise, President Trump was a fan of his!"
This act of historical 'trolling' comes at a time when Trump's political standing appears more fragile. According to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll, his approval rating has slipped to nearly the lowest of his current term at 39%, as some within his own party express dissatisfaction with his handling of the economy.
The plaque revisions also follow widespread criticism of Trump's response to the murder of actor-director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, whom he blamed on social media for suffering from "TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME."
Furthermore, the mockery of the Affordable Care Act coincides with a looming US healthcare crisis. Subsidies for the programme are set to expire at year's end, a move experts warn will seriously damage the health sector, lending a stark real-world counterpoint to the political rhetoric now engraved within the White House walls.
