The White House under Donald Trump has unveiled a controversial new historical display that takes direct aim at former presidents. The so-called "Presidential Walk of Fame," installed along corridors between the Oval Office and the South Lawn, features plaques beneath portraits of former commanders-in-chief that are laden with personal and political criticism.
A Walk of Fame or a Gallery of Grievances?
The display, a recent addition to the executive mansion, includes a picture or painting of every former US president with one notable exception: Joe Biden. Instead of a portrait, the space for the 46th president is occupied by a photograph of an autopen, a device that mechanically reproduces a signature.
The accompanying plaque, which White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt suggested was written by Mr Trump himself, delivers a scathing assessment. It labels Biden "Sleepy Joe" and declares him "by far, the worst president in American history." It further falsely accuses him of winning the "most corrupt election ever" and makes unprecedented use of the autopen, echoing Trump's repeated claims that Biden was not mentally capable by the end of his term and that staff made decisions on his behalf.
No President Spared from Criticism
The vitriol is not reserved for Biden alone. The plaque for Barack Obama refers to him formally as "Barack Hussein Obama" and brands him "one of the most divisive political figures in American history," while also claiming he presided over a stagnant economy.
Even fellow Republicans are targeted. The inscription for George W. Bush, who has not supported Trump, rebukes him for starting "wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, both of which should not have happened." The plaque under Bill Clinton's portrait notably focuses on his wife, stating: "In 2016, president Clinton's wife, Hillary Clinton, lost the presidency to President Donald J Trump!"
In stark contrast, Trump's own plaques are reported to be full of praise for his tenure.
An 'Eloquent' Redecoration
Defending the new installations, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the plaques as an "eloquent" description of each president's legacy. "As a student of history, many were written directly by the president himself," she said on Thursday, 18 December 2025.
This alteration is the latest in a series of aesthetic changes to Trump's White House, which has seen an increased use of gold-coloured accents and gilded fixtures, styles reminiscent of his Trump Tower in New York and Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
The Presidential Walk of Fame has swiftly become a physical manifestation of Trump's combative political style, permanently etching his personal grievances into the very fabric of the nation's most famous residence. It transforms a traditional hall of portraits into a pointed commentary, ensuring that the legacy of his predecessors is framed entirely through his own critical lens.
