Since returning for the second time to office back in January of this year, it’s safe to say that United States President Donald Trump has not been hesitant to roll out a number of changes regarding legislation, policy and law itself.
Now, we could go on for hours about the ins and outs of all Trump’s controversial orders, his social media ramblings and his general conduct when it comes to press conferences, but it’s hard to ignore just how much the 79-year-old Republican has changed in the White House as his latest portrait swap causes outrage online.
According to a report by CNN, Trump just this week has allegedly ordered the official portraits of three former US presidents to be moved to less prominent positions in the White House.
Such individuals include the likes of Barack Obama, George W. Bush and his father, George H. W. Bush. Obama’s portrait originally hung in the White House entryway but it’s since been bumped to the Grand Staircase alongside both Bush portraits.
Trump has allegedly ordered the official portraits of three former US presidents to be moved to less prominent positions in the White House (Kevin Dietsch / Staff / Getty Images)
Backlash to bumping Barack and Bush
Social media users took no time in blasting Trump for his supposed artwork rejig, with one X user branding him a ‘petty and insecure man.’
“Just when you think he couldn’t disrespect more he goes and tops himself again,” someone else claimed.
A third commented: “No worries Trump. The next president will remove every photo of you inside the White House.”
View of the newly-paved Rose Garden at the White House last week (9 August) (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / Contributor / Getty Images)
Rose garden makeover
The historic Kennedy-era green space now looks completely unrecognisable in new photos released last month (22 July), following the Trumps’ controversial rose garden ‘restoration’ makeover.
What was once a lush oasis of greenery and roses has now been totally covered up with a large concrete slab.
Back in March, Trump explained the reasoning behind his decision to lay down concrete in the space, claiming that the grass posed a problem for press conferences and garden events.
In the same interview, the 79-year-old noted that women’s heels could sink into the ground.
“You know, we use [the Rose Garden] for press conferences, and it doesn’t work because the people fall,” Trump told Fox News. “The terrain can be wet, and the soft ground can be an issue for some… Women, with the high heels, it just didn’t work.”
Such renovations commenced last month, with a White House official previously assuring PEOPLE that Trump and Melania ‘have deep respect for the history of the White House and for the Rose Garden.’
“This restoration to the Rose Garden preserves the beauty of the space and builds on the work done in 2020,” the official said. “With a focus on enhancing practical use and guest experience for those attending special events.”
While the photos released in July have clearly caused a stir, it’s important to note that the renovation is not yet finished.
It is expected to be completed by mid-August this year.
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The new ballroom is said to be costing $200 million (The White House)
Golden takeover and ballroom backlash
As part of his nine-figure plan to restore the White House, Trump has made the controversial decision to adorn several sections of his royal residence in gold, which many have branded and utterly ‘tacky’.
For those out of the loop, the Republican’s team first announced at the end of last month (31 July) that a staggering $200 million (£150m) would be plied into the construction of a brand new ballroom.
One section of the announcement read: “The White House is one of the most beautiful and historic buildings in the world, yet the White House is currently unable to host major functions honouring world leaders and other countries without having to install a large and unsightly tent approximately 100 yards away from the main building entrance.”
According to CNN, the latest additions came just weeks after Trump began adding ‘gold piece after gold piece’ to sections of the residence, ‘including tiny gold cherubs over the doorway’ to the Oval Office in the major renovation.
In response to the news, whilst some critics feared that the elaborate renovations formed part of Trump’s plan to remain in the Oval Office for a third term, others were astounded by the way that the money was being spent.
