White House relocates Obama portrait to make way for painting depicting Trump assassination attempt

New York Post - Apr 12th, 2025
Open on New York Post

A new painting of President Trump, depicting him moments after a failed assassination attempt, has been installed in a prominent spot in the White House's Grand Foyer, replacing a portrait of former President Barack Obama. The artwork, based on a photo by Doug Mills, shows Trump defiantly raising his fist with blood on his face and the American flag in the background. The artist, Marc Lipp, created the piece which was gifted to the White House by Andrew Pollack, a school safety advocate whose daughter was killed in the 2018 Parkland shooting. The Obama portrait has been relocated just across the hall, retaining a significant place in the Entrance Hall.

This change is part of President Trump's broader effort to personalize the White House decor, echoing the style of his Mar-a-Lago estate. The replacement of Obama's portrait with Trump's dramatic depiction has sparked discussions about the symbolic implications and the ongoing cultural narratives within the White House. The alterations reflect Trump's focus on his political image and legacy, marked by the inclusion of framed front pages chronicling his political comeback. The decision underscores the administration's priorities and the continuous reimagining of presidential history within the White House's walls.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

3.4
Unfair Story
Approach with caution

The article presents a sensational narrative with questionable accuracy, lacking credible sources and balanced perspectives. While the story is engaging and potentially controversial, its impact is limited by the absence of substantiated claims and comprehensive context. The article touches on topics of public interest, such as presidential portrait traditions, but fails to provide meaningful insights that contribute to public discourse. Its readability is moderate, with clear language and structure, but the sensational tone and lack of depth may detract from its overall quality. Ultimately, the story's potential to provoke debate is significant, but it comes with ethical responsibilities to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting.

RATING DETAILS

3
Accuracy

The article's accuracy is questionable due to several unverified and potentially misleading claims. The story asserts that a painting of President Trump, depicting him after an assassination attempt, replaced a portrait of former President Obama in the White House. This claim lacks corroboration from credible sources and official statements. The article also mentions a specific event involving Trump in Butler, Pa., which requires verification as there is no widely recognized record of such an incident. Furthermore, the description of the painting's artist and donor could not be independently confirmed, raising doubts about the authenticity of these details. The article's factual basis is weak, with several elements needing verification to ensure truthfulness and precision.

4
Balance

The article lacks balance, primarily presenting a sensational narrative without adequately exploring other perspectives or providing context. It focuses heavily on the alleged replacement of Obama's portrait with Trump's painting, without offering viewpoints from historians, art experts, or White House officials who could provide a broader understanding of the situation. The story also omits any potential controversy or public reaction to such a significant change, which could have added depth and balance to the narrative. By not including these perspectives, the article risks appearing biased towards a sensationalist angle.

5
Clarity

The article's clarity is moderate, with a straightforward narrative that is easy to follow, but it lacks depth and context. The language used is simple, and the structure is logical, allowing readers to grasp the main points quickly. However, the article fails to provide sufficient background information or explanations for its claims, which could lead to confusion or misinterpretation. The sensational tone of the story might also detract from its clarity, as it prioritizes dramatic elements over factual accuracy and comprehensive context.

2
Source quality

The quality of sources in the article is poor, as it lacks citations from credible, authoritative sources. The story does not reference any official White House statements, reputable news organizations, or firsthand accounts from individuals involved. The reliance on unspecified 'social media posts' and unnamed 'White House officials' without direct quotes or verifiable evidence undermines the reliability of the information presented. The absence of diverse and authoritative sources raises significant questions about the story's credibility and impartiality.

3
Transparency

The article provides minimal transparency regarding its sources and the methodology behind its claims. It does not disclose the basis for the information presented or any potential conflicts of interest that may affect the narrative's impartiality. The lack of context about the decision-making process for the alleged portrait replacement or the motivations behind the painting's depiction of Trump leaves readers without a clear understanding of the factors influencing the story. This lack of transparency diminishes the article's credibility and leaves readers with unanswered questions.

Sources

  1. https://people.com/white-house-swaps-barack-obama-official-portrait-with-photo-trump-11714138
  2. http://acecomments.mu.nu/?post=373434v
  3. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/new-artwork-at-white-house-donald-trumps-new-painting-replaces-barack-obamas-portrait-in-foyer/articleshow/120218199.cms
  4. https://qresear.ch/?q=china
  5. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/obama-white-house-portrait-trump-assassination-b2731916.html