 "The White House portraits with the new plaques of explanatory text. Biden’s portrait has been replaced with a picture of an autopen. AP")
White House officials on Wednesday revised the “Presidential Walk of Fame,” taking potshots at former American leaders, especially Barack Obama and Joe Biden . The White House installed plaques beneath portraits of former presidents that reflected US President Donald Trump’s own views about his predecessor.
Trump’s rants included branding Biden as “the worst president in American history,” garnering condemnation from many in the country. White House officials said that the changes are part of Trump’s broader effort to reshape the White House environment to match his preferences.
Portraits of every past president now feature expanded text that records Trump’s assessments of their records. Instead of providing neutral and historical summaries, the plaques had Trump’s opinion written on them, the thoughts he often shares on his social media network, TruthSocial.
How some of the presidents have been described by Trump
In the presidential wall of fame, Barack Obama has been described by Trump as “one of the most divisive political figures,” while Ronald Reagan is praised in personal terms, with Trump asserting that Reagan “was a fan”.
Meanwhile, Biden’s plaque witnessed the most scathing recommendation from the current president. “ Sleepy Joe was, by far, the worst President in American History.” It continues: “Taking office as a result of the most corrupt Election ever seen in the United States.”
Obama’s plaque also featured critical lines: “As President, he passed the highly ineffective ‘Unaffordable’ Care Act, resulting in his party losing control of both Houses of Congress, and the Election of the largest House Republican majority since 1946.” The description of Bill Clinton also minimises his accomplishments. Instead, he credited the Republican Congress for what happened during Clinton’s tenure.
Some received favourable messages
In contrast to this, some Republican presidents also received a warmer message from Trump. Reagan’s plaque , in particular, is filled with praise: “Known as ‘The Great Communicator,’ he was re-elected in a landslide in 1984, and left office with high approval… 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!”
All plaques that are part of what the White House now calls “Wall of Fame” are located outside the West Wing. The display features portraits of every US president arranged in chronological order, with one notable exception. Biden’s portrait has been removed and replaced by an image of an autopen.
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View AllThe image was a reference to Republican allegations that aides frequently used the device on his behalf. Many pointed out how Trump rediculing former President is coming at a time when the US is experiencing a healthcare crisis, with subsidies for Affordable Care Act health insurance (the same program the White House mocks on Obama’s plaque) set to expire at the end of the year, which healthcare policy experts say will have a serious and damaging impact on the entire sector.