Walk into the White House these days and things look... different. If you haven't been keeping up with the 2025 interior design choices of the 47th president, you might expect the usual quiet dignity of oil paintings and hushed hallways. But the vibe has shifted. Hard.
The biggest talking point right now isn't just the new gold leaf on the walls or the fact that the Rose Garden grass has been swapped for patio stone. It's the "Presidential Walk of Fame." Specifically, it's about how Trump replaces Biden portrait with something that looks more like a piece of office equipment than a world leader.
Honestly, it's a move that has historians pulling their hair out and political pundits shouting into microphones until they’re hoarse. Instead of a traditional, dignified photo or painting of Joe Biden, visitors to the West Wing Colonnade are greeted by a framed image of an autopen. You know, that mechanical arm used to sign documents when a human isn't around?
Yeah. That’s the "portrait."
The "Autopen" Snub Explained
To understand why this happened, you’ve gotta look at the beef. Donald Trump has spent a lot of time since returning to office claiming that Joe Biden’s administration was basically "illegitimate." His favorite piece of evidence? The autopen.
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Trump has alleged—without any real evidence, mind you—that Biden wasn’t actually the one making decisions or signing laws. He claims staff were just running the machine while Biden was, in his words, "addled." By putting a picture of a robot arm where a human face should be, Trump isn't just decorating. He’s trolling on a global scale.
This isn’t just some minor hallway update. The Presidential Walk of Fame is a literal row of leaders. You see Washington, Lincoln, FDR... and then you get to the 46th president and see a mechanical device signing a piece of paper. It’s a deliberate attempt to delegitimize the previous four years of American history.
The Tradition of the Official Portrait
Usually, White House portraits are a big, bipartisan deal. The White House Historical Association helps out, and there’s usually a nice ceremony where the current president invites the former one back for a "reveal." Remember when Biden hosted the Obamas in 2022? It was classy.
But that tradition? It’s basically dead for now.
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- The Walk of Fame: This is a new exterior display along the West Wing Colonnade. It’s not the official oil painting collection (which takes years to finish anyway), but it’s the most visible gallery for guests.
- The "Tombstone" Labels: Trump didn't stop at the photo. He added plaques. Under the Democrat presidents, the text is... let’s say "spicy." It uses nicknames and lists failures rather than achievements.
- The New Trump Aesthetic: Trump also updated his own portraits. The new ones, taken by Daniel Torok, show him looking stern, leaning over the Resolute Desk with his fists planted. It’s a "power" look, modeled after his famous mugshot.
It’s Not Just the White House
This "portrait war" has spread to the Smithsonian. Just this month, in January 2026, the National Portrait Gallery had to shuffle things around.
The Smithsonian is a federal institution, and Trump has been leaning on them to "restore American values." Suddenly, the text next to Trump’s own photo—the part that mentioned his two impeachments and the January 6th Capitol riot—vanished. It was replaced with a short "tombstone" label that just lists his years in office.
Is it censorship? The Smithsonian says they’re just "refreshing" the gallery. But it’s hard to ignore the timing, especially after Trump signed an executive order in March 2025 targeting "divisive ideologies" in museums.
Why This Matters for the 250th Anniversary
America is gearing up for its 250th birthday on July 4, 2026. The administration wants every museum and gallery to reflect a very specific, "patriotic" version of history.
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- Audit of Museums: The White House has ordered reviews of eight Smithsonian museums.
- Funding Threats: There’s talk of withholding money if these institutions don't "align" their exhibits with the president's vision.
- Historical Narratives: If you change the pictures and the plaques, you change how kids learn history. That’s the real endgame here.
How to See the Portraits Yourself
If you’re heading to D.C. and want to see this for yourself, keep a few things in mind. The "Walk of Fame" is on the White House grounds, so you’ll need a scheduled tour to see the autopen in person.
- White House Tours: Apply way in advance through your Member of Congress. Demand is through the roof because of all the new renovations (like the massive new ballroom being built).
- National Portrait Gallery: This is free and open to the public. You can see the updated Trump photo and the simplified labels right now in the "America's Presidents" exhibit.
- The Digital Version: Most of the updated "Walk of Fame" images have been posted to the official @POTUS Instagram and WhiteHouse.gov gallery.
Basically, the White House has become a giant gallery of political messaging. Whether you think replacing Biden's face with a machine is a hilarious "gotcha" or a tragic break in decorum, it’s the new reality of the 2026 political landscape.
If you’re planning a trip to see these changes, your best move is to book a tour at least three months out. The National Portrait Gallery is a great alternative if you can't get into the West Wing, as it shows the broader "content audit" in real-time. Keep an eye on the Smithsonian's official website for updates on their "America's Presidents" refresh, which is expected to be fully finished by the July 4th celebrations.