Donald Trump has once again made a bold move at the White House, this time by installing a series of new plaques to sum up the legacy of each US president. With large gold frames and eloquent descriptions, these plaques offer a unique and somewhat controversial perspective on the leaders who have held the highest office in the land.
The idea behind this installation, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, was to pay tribute to “past Presidents, good, bad and somewhere in the middle.” As a student of history, President Trump himself played a major role in writing these descriptions, further showcasing his love for the subject.
But these plaques are not your typical, run-of-the-mill historical displays. They are filled with the signature capitalised prose that is often seen in Trump’s tweets and speeches, and they do not hold back in expressing his opinions about his predecessors. And while each president has a unique plaque, there is one glaring exception – Joe Biden.
Biden’s plaque, instead of a portrait, has an image of an autopen, a device used to replicate signatures. This not only serves as a dig at Biden’s age, but also a commentary on the legitimacy of his presidency. The plaque goes on to falsely accuse him of being the “worst President in American history” and claims that he only took office due to a “corrupt election.”
The harsh words do not stop there. Trump’s plaque for Biden also criticises him for the current state of the economy, inflation, immigration policies, and even the recent events in Afghanistan. It seems that Trump has not let go of his feud with Biden, and this display of plaques is just another way for him to attack his rival.
But it’s not just Biden who is at the receiving end of Trump’s brutal and unfounded criticism. Each plaque has its own share of jabs and insults, with former President Barack Obama taking the brunt of it. According to Trump’s plaque, Obama was a “community organiser” and “one of the most divisive political figures in American history.” It goes on to attack his policies on the economy, Iran Nuclear Deal, and the Paris Climate Accords, which were terminated by Trump.
Even former President Bill Clinton is not spared, though in a more subtle manner. His plaque ends with a reminder that his wife, Hillary Clinton, lost the presidency to Trump in 2016. As for George W. Bush, Trump’s plaque criticises him for starting wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, stating that they “should not have happened.”
However, not all the plaques are filled with derogatory remarks. The display also includes a plaque for Ronald Reagan, with whom Trump shares a mutual admiration. Trump’s plaque for Reagan mentions that he was a “fan” of Trump’s long before he ran for office, further highlighting their bond.
But amidst all the criticism and praise, there is one president who has a double representation in the display – Donald Trump himself. He has two separate portraits, one for each of his presidencies, with the latest one bearing the words “THE BEST IS YET TO COME.”
This move by Trump has received mixed reactions, with some applauding his creativity and others condemning it as a petty and disrespectful act. Regardless of one’s political beliefs, it cannot be denied that this display of plaques is a bold and unique addition to the White House.
As we approach the end of Trump’s presidency, it is clear that he has left his mark on the White House in more ways than one. And while these plaques may not be to everyone’s liking, they serve as a reminder of the strong and often controversial opinions of the 45th President of the United States. As we move into a new era of leadership, only time will tell how these plaques will be viewed by future generations.
