The White House colonnade now features a sharply revised historical narrative, as the plaques beneath the portraits of America's presidents have been updated with provocative new descriptions. The changes, part of the Presidential Walk of Fame installed on December 17, 2025, offer a distinctly critical view of recent Democratic administrations, particularly those of Joe Biden and Barack Obama.
A Walk of Fame or a Walk of Blame?
Located on the once-blank wall connecting the West Wing to the main White House building, the walkway now presents plaques for all 45 presidents. According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the plaques are "eloquently written descriptions of each president and the legacy they left behind," with many penned directly by the president himself. However, the tone for Biden, Obama, and George W. Bush is far from celebratory, leaning heavily into political critique.
The plaques for Joe Biden are the most numerous and scathing. He is labelled "by far, the worst President in American History" on one plaque, which references the nicknames "Sleepy" and "Crooked." The text blames his policies for record inflation, a devalued U.S. dollar, and the "abolishing" of the Southern Border, claiming it allowed 21 million people to enter the country. It also cites the Afghanistan withdrawal and the October 7th attack on Israel as consequences of perceived weakness.
Obama's Legacy Questioned
Barack Obama's two plaques also face direct criticism. He is described as "one of the most divisive political figures in American History." His policy achievements, like the Affordable Care Act, are framed as failures that led to electoral losses for his party. The plaque controversially links his administration to the "Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax," which it calls "the worst political scandal in American History." It also notes that his "handpicked successor," Hillary Clinton, lost to Donald Trump.
Other presidents received mixed reviews. George W. Bush is criticized on his single plaque for starting the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq post-9/11. Meanwhile, presidents more aligned with Trump's policies, such as Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon, received glowing assessments. The messages mirror the style of Trump's Truth Social posts, complete with phrases in ALL CAPS for emphasis.
Reactions and Historical Context
The update replaces a previous, subtler dig at Biden: a framed picture of an autopen that had hinted at aides running the administration due to the president's alleged cognitive decline. The new, unabashedly partisan plaques have ignited debate about the use of the White House's official spaces for political messaging. Supporters view it as a corrective to historical narratives, while critics see it as an unprecedented politicization of presidential history.
The installation ensures that visitors to the White House in late 2025 are presented with a version of history that is deeply intertwined with the current political era, framing recent presidencies through a lens of contention and dispute.
