
The White House recently unveiled a controversial painting of Donald Trump, depicting a dramatic moment following an assassination attempt. This artwork has replaced the previously displayed portrait of Barack Obama in the State Floor foyer, a decision that has captured significant attention. The painting, created by artist Marc Lipp, portrays Trump in a highly charged scene, rallying his supporters during his reelection campaign with the powerful call to “fight, fight, fight!” The choice to showcase this particular image, with its intense, almost heroic depiction of the president in the wake of a life-threatening event, has sparked a wide range of reactions. Critics and observers are now debating the significance of this move, questioning its impact on long-established White House traditions and how it shapes the narrative surrounding Trump’s presidential legacy. The replacement of Obama’s portrait with this painting adds another layer to the ongoing discussion about the representation of modern presidents and the evolving cultural and political climate during Trump’s tenure

Painting Depicts Trump Rally Incident
Artist Marc Lipp’s painting, donated by Andrew Pollock through Florida’s Blue Gallery, shows Trump with a wounded ear, fist raised, shouting, “Fight, fight, fight!”
Breaking Tradition
Unveiling a new presidential portrait without prior notice is rare and underscores Trump’s pattern of defying convention
Breaking Protocol
Traditionally, sitting presidents host their immediate predecessors for portrait unveilings. Trump skipped the custom and never invited Obama during his term. The Obamas were eventually hosted by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden in 2022
While some presidential portraits are stored or conserved, those on display serve as a visual record of the presidency’s evolution. Meanwhile, Trump is making headlines for a different reason.
In a video posted to X on April 9, he introduced NASCAR drivers to Charles Schwab and boasted that Schwab gained $2.5 billion during a recent market surge. The spike followed Trump’s April 2 announcement of reciprocal tariffs, which initially triggered global sell-offs. Days later, his unexpected 90-day suspension of most tariffs—excluding those on China—sent stocks soaring over 9% by Wednesday’s close.
The timing raised eyebrows, sparking accusations of market manipulation and insider trading.