In a move that has stirred up significant attention, President Donald Trump has recently updated the White House Presidential Walk of Fame with the addition of bronze plaques that deliver pointed critiques of his immediate predecessors. These plaques, which now accompany the portraits of Joe Biden and Barack Obama, feature President Trump's personal and scathing assessments of their tenures in office.
The Presidential Walk of Fame, introduced in September, has historically been a place of honor and respect for the individuals who have served as the nation's leaders. However, President Trump's recent additions have marked a departure from this tradition. The plaque beneath Joe Biden's portrait labels him as "the worst president in American history," citing a series of alleged disasters under his administration that purportedly pushed the country towards ruin. It also accuses Biden's policies of causing record-high inflation and a significant devaluation of the U.S. Dollar.
Further, the plaque references President Trump's derogatory nicknames for Biden, including "Sleepy" and "Crooked," and suggests the former Vice President was manipulated by "radical left handlers." Biden's use of an autopen for signatures and his performance in a June 2024 debate against Trump, which the plaque describes as humiliating, are also highlighted.
The commentary on Barack Obama's presidency is equally critical. One plaque brands him as one of the most divisive political figures in the country's history, while another accuses him of spying on Trump's 2016 campaign and participating in what it calls the "Russia Hoax." The Affordable Care Act, dubbed the "Unaffordable Care Act" in the plaque, is criticized for its alleged inefficiency and political repercussions for the Democratic Party.
The installation also includes a reference to Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is mentioned in connection with her defeat by Donald J. Trump in the 2016 presidential election and is represented near the portrait of her husband, former President Bill Clinton.
This dramatic alteration of the White House's traditional displays was previewed in a November interview with Fox News Channel host Laura Ingraham but the full extent of the political commentary was not disclosed until the plaques were officially installed. The move has been characterized by some as an unprecedented use of the Presidential Walk of Fame for political expression.
Historically, presidential portraits in the White House have been presented in a manner that is neutral or appreciative, irrespective of political affiliation or rivalry. This latest action by President Trump underscores a significant shift in this tradition and has become a topic of vigorous public discourse.
