Trump Skipped Tradition, Resumed After 10 Years... White House Unveils Portraits of Obama Couple

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] An event unveiling the portraits of former U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife was held at the White House on the 7th (local time). The White House has a tradition where the sitting president invites former presidents and their spouses to unveil their portraits, but the event was resumed after 10 years as former President Donald Trump refused to hold it.

According to CNN and other outlets, at the event held in the White House East Room, President Joe Biden welcomed the Obamas by saying, "Welcome home."

Former President Obama served as the 44th President of the United States from January 2009 to January 2017. President Biden, who served as Vice President during Obama's administration, called him a "true partner and friend," and Obama said, "I'm really glad to be back."

President Biden described former President Obama as a "true partner and friend" and said he was one of the most influential and history-making presidents in American history. He added, "I hardly know anyone more honest, dignified, and courageous than Obama," praising him for enabling Biden to prepare well for his eight years as president.

Since 1989, the U.S. has held portrait unveiling ceremonies for former presidents regardless of political affiliation, but former President Trump, who had a poor relationship with former President Obama, did not hold this event. However, former President Bill Clinton invited former President George H.W. Bush, former President George W. Bush invited Clinton, and former President Obama invited Bush to the White House, holding portrait unveiling ceremonies to appreciate the efforts of their predecessors regardless of party affiliation.

In Trump's case, not only did he not hold the portrait unveiling ceremony for former President Obama, but he also removed the portraits of former Presidents Bush and Clinton and stored them in a warehouse. President Biden rehung these portraits in their proper places shortly after taking office.

The unveiled portraits show former President Obama wearing a dark gray suit and former First Lady Michelle Obama wearing a blue dress. Obama's portrait was hung in the Grand Foyer, the White House lobby, alongside other former presidents' portraits, while Mrs. Obama's portrait was displayed in the first-floor hallway with portraits of former first ladies.

With Obama's portrait delivered, attention now turns to whether President Biden will present the portrait of former President Trump, who rejected this tradition. Given Trump's ongoing accusations of the last election being a "fraud" and his harsh criticism of the Biden administration, foreign media predict it is unlikely that he will be invited to the White House.

Stuart Maclure, president of the White House Historical Association (WHHA), stated that the portrait work for former President Trump and Melania Trump is in the early stages, and the process of selecting an artist is underway. CNN, citing sources, reported that the portrait work for the Trump couple appears to have started six months ago at their Mar-a-Lago residence, and that a photo shoot for former President Trump was planned, though it is unclear whether he actually participated.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also did not answer questions about whether former President Trump would be invited during a briefing the previous day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.