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By Alice Gibbs
Senior Reporter
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A video shared on X by podcast host Benny Johnson has sparked debate online after he claimed President Donald Trump had moved former President Barack Obama’s portrait from its traditional position inside the White House.
In the clip, Johnson films from inside the White House and describes the placement of the portrait as the "funniest thing," before panning the camera to show the artwork positioned partway up a staircase, away from public view.
Johnson suggests the portrait is no longer displayed in the White House Grand Foyer, where portraits of recent presidents have traditionally been hung.
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The video quickly circulated on X, drawing more than 2.2 million views and a wave of sharply divided reactions.
Newsweek reached out to Benny Johnson via email and the White House via email for comment.
Why It Matters
Presidential portraits in the White House are traditionally treated as historical artifacts rather than political statements. The placement of a former president’s portrait can attract attention because it is often seen as symbolic, particularly during periods of heightened political tension.
The viral nature of Johnson’s video highlights how even small changes inside the White House can become flashpoints in broader political and cultural debates online.
What To Know
In the clip, Johnson points to Obama’s portrait hanging partway up a staircase rather than in a prominent public-facing location.
Johnson captioned the post, "Y’all have to see what Trump has done with the Obama portrait at the White House," accompanied by eye‑emoji.
In 2025, the White House replaced a portrait of Barack Obama in the main entrance hall with a painting of President Donald Trump pictured during the June 2024 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania.
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This is not the first time that White House decor has sparked attention. In 2025, people were stunned to see the White House decorated for the festive season, including a Lego portrait of Trump.
More recently, a photograph of Russian leader Vladimir Putin displayed in the White House has sparked outrage. At the time, a White House official told Newsweek: "The photos around the complex are constantly updated and rotated as new photos are captured."
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Johnson's clip prompted a range of reactions from X users. Some commenters criticized the move, while others defended it or dismissed the controversy altogether.
One user wrote: "Irrespective of political affiliations, it’s not good making fun of a former president." Another commented: "You guys might just literally be the most pathetic and petty group of humans to ever exist…"
Others took a more supportive or dismissive tone, with one user writing, "Lmao [laughing my a** off] that’s funny. I love it," while another said: "Obama is lucky his portrait is even still in the White House!"
Several comments accused Trump of acting out of spite, while others framed the reaction as overblown.
What Happens Next
Neither the White House nor President Trump has publicly commented on the video or on the placement of Obama’s portrait.
It remains unclear whether the portrait’s position reflects a permanent change, a temporary relocation, or a broader reorganization of artwork inside the White House.
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