President Donald Trump has added personalized plaques to the portraits of all former U.S. presidents, including himself, on his “Presidential Walk of Fame” at the White House. In these plaques, he labels Joe Biden as “sleepy,” Barack Obama as “divisive,” and Ronald Reagan as an admirer of a young Trump.
This move, unveiled publicly on Wednesday, is Trump’s latest attempt to reshape the White House environment to align with his personal views, disregarding traditional presidential protocols and emphasizing his ambition to influence the narrative of U.S. history. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described the plaques as detailed summaries of each president and their legacies, with many being personally written by Trump due to his interest in history.
The descriptions in the plaques reflect Trump’s distinctive style, including his bombastic language and unconventional capitalization choices. They also underscore his complex relationships with recent predecessors. A plaque at the entrance credits Trump for conceiving, building, and dedicating the exhibit as a tribute to past presidents, acknowledging their varied impacts on the nation.
Apart from the addition of these plaques to the Walk of Fame, Trump has made other notable changes to the White House, such as decorating the Oval Office with gold accents and planning to build a large ballroom in the East Wing. Additionally, his administration is advocating for a review of how historical narratives are presented in Smithsonian exhibits and is actively involved in shaping the federal government’s plans for the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary in 2026.
The exhibit in the colonnade provides insights into how Trump portrays the legacies of his predecessors. Joe Biden’s plaque stands out as the only one not featuring a gilded portrait but instead an autopen, reflecting Trump’s criticisms of Biden’s age and capabilities. The descriptions for Biden criticize him for issues like inflation, energy policy, and immigration.
Similarly, Barack Obama is described as a “community organizer” and a “divisive political figure” in his plaque, with his signature healthcare legislation dubbed as “highly ineffective.” George W. Bush receives praise for his response to the 9/11 attacks but is criticized for starting wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Bill Clinton’s plaque acknowledges his achievements but also references controversies during his presidency.
Trump’s own plaques, reflecting his two terms in office, emphasize accomplishments like the economy and his electoral victories. The introductory plaque suggests that Trump’s contribution to the exhibit will endure as a lasting tribute to American greatness. The unveiling of these plaques has generated mixed reactions, with some criticizing the personalized nature of the descriptions and others using creative means to express dissent, like the photoshopped images shared by Governor Gavin Newsom’s office.
