Executive summary: The White House has unveiled new plaques on President Donald Trump’s ‘Presidential Walk of Fame’ that provide critical and often mocking descriptions of his predecessors, with the installation reported on December 17, 2025. The plaques, written in Trump’s characteristic style, include insults and partisan claims about figures like Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and others.
The addition of these plaques deepens Trump’s imprint on the White House’s aesthetic, continuing his efforts to shape historical narratives. Installed along the colonnade between the West Wing and the residence, the display features gilded portraits of past presidents, with Biden represented by an autopen instead of a portrait, reflecting Trump’s frequent mockery of his predecessor. The introductory plaque states that the walkway was ‘conceived, built, and dedicated’ by Trump as a tribute to all presidents, ‘good, bad and somewhere in the middle.’
For former President Joe Biden, the plaque repeats unfounded claims about the 2020 election and labels him ‘by far, the worst president in American history,’ using nicknames like ‘Sleepy Joe’ that Trump has popularized. Similarly, Barack Obama is described as ‘one of the most divisive political figures in American history,’ with critiques of his healthcare law and climate accords. Other Democrats, such as Bill Clinton, have their achievements noted but are also linked to political losses, like Hillary Clinton’s defeat in 2016.
Republican presidents are not spared from criticism. George W. Bush’s plaque acknowledges his creation of the Department of Homeland Security but condemns the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq as mistakes. Earlier presidents, like John F. Kennedy and Jimmy Carter, receive more balanced treatments, highlighting both their successes and failures, with Carter praised for post-presidency humanitarian work.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the plaques are ‘eloquently written descriptions’ and that ‘many were written directly by the President himself,’ emphasizing Trump’s personal involvement. The style echoes his social media posts, with random capitalization and bombastic language, reinforcing his voice in the official display.
The Presidential Walk of Fame was first established by Trump in September 2025, when he refashioned the colonnade with portraits of former presidents, excluding Biden. This latest update adds textual narratives that align with Trump’s political messaging, turning the walkway into a curated tour of history as he interprets it. The location ensures that visitors, including foreign dignitaries, can be guided through this perspective during official visits.
The plaques represent a further blending of personal political rhetoric with presidential legacy, raising questions about the normalization of partisan commentary in White House decor. While Trump portrays it as a historical tribute, critics may view it as an attempt to rewrite history or diminish predecessors. The display is intended to remain as a ‘testament to the Greatness of America,’ according to the introductory plaque, suggesting a lasting impact beyond his administration.
As of now, there have been no immediate public responses from the offices of former presidents mentioned, but the installation highlights ongoing tensions in how presidential history is memorialized. This move underscores Trump’s unique approach to governance and image-making, with potential implications for future administrations and historical scholarship.
