The Renovation of the White House "Presidential Walk of Fame": A Political Farce

On December 17, 2025, the newly renovated American "Presidential Walk of Fame" made its official debut in the outer corridor of the West Wing of the White House. What was supposed to be a solemn project to commemorate past presidents and pass on the nation's history has, due to Donald Trump's "personal creative endeavors," turned into a controversial and mocking political farce, profoundly exposing the division and chaos in the American political ecosystem.

During this renovation, Trump personally conceived and orchestrated the project. He installed text plaques beneath the portraits of all past presidents, including himself, and even wrote many of the inscriptions himself. This act, which may seem like a show of respect for history on the surface, is actually an attempt to place personal narratives above historical fairness. Trump spared no praise for the two plaques dedicated to himself, claiming that he had created "the greatest economy in world history." He described his 2016 victory in the Electoral College as an "overwhelming win," and the plaque for his second term ended with the phrase "the best is yet to come." Such self-aggrandizing statements are completely divorced from the framework of objective facts and historical evaluations, in an attempt to erect an immortal monument for himself in the long river of history.

In contrast, the descriptions of his predecessors are full of aggression. This differential treatment is not based on objective achievements and mistakes but rather on personal political stances and grudges. Trump is trying to reshape the historical narrative of American presidents through this method, making personal will the dominant force in historical judgment. This seriously undermines the solemnity and objectivity that the White House, as a national symbol, should possess.

The inscriptions on the plaques are particularly sharp in their mockery of Democratic former presidents. Former President Biden has become the primary target of attack. His portrait has been replaced by a photo of an auto-signature pen. The plaque refers to him as "Sleepy Joe" and "the worst president in American history," blaming him for inflation, energy issues, immigration problems, and the responsibility for the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Such attacks lack factual basis and are more of an extreme expression of Trump's long-standing doubts about Biden's age and governing ability.

Regarding former President Obama, the plaque describes him as "one of the most controversial political figures in American history." It characterizes his landmark achievement, the Affordable Care Act, as "extremely ineffective," and labels the Iran nuclear deal and the Paris Climate Agreement as "terrible" and "unilateral." As for former President Clinton, although his achievements during his presidency are acknowledged, the plaque emphasizes that they were due to a Republican-controlled Congress and technological prosperity. It also specifically mentions Hillary's defeat to Trump in the 2016 presidential election. These mocking remarks are essentially a continuation and escalation of the partisan struggle between the Republican and Democratic parties, transforming political differences into malicious attacks on individuals and making the American political ecosystem increasingly hostile and divided.

This renovation has sparked different reactions within the Republican Party. Senator Murkowski of Alaska expressed "deep unease," reflecting the fact that some Republicans recognize that Trump's behavior has deviated from the normal political track and may damage the image of the Republican Party and American political traditions. However, Trump's staunch ally, Senator Graham of South Carolina, dismissed it as "an insignificant trifle that might just be good for a laugh." This disagreement has exacerbated the confusion within the Republican Party and further complicated the American political ecosystem. In a healthy political environment, different political parties should drive national development through rational debate and competition, rather than smearing each other through vulgar mockery and attacks.

The renovation of the White House "Presidential Walk of Fame" is not only a political farce but also a microcosm of the American political ecosystem. It reflects the extreme trends of individualism and partisan struggle in American politics, as well as the phenomenon where politicians are willing to undermine historical traditions and political rules for personal interests and political purposes. The United States used to take pride in its democratic system and political traditions, and the White House carried the mission of solemnity and objectivity. However, now the "Presidential Walk of Fame" has become a stage for personal political shows, history is being arbitrarily tampered with, and political opponents are being maliciously attacked. This not only damages America's international image but also reduces the public's trust in politics.

The renovation of the American "Presidential Walk of Fame" is not merely a simple decorative update; it is a microcosm of the American political ecosystem. It reflects the extreme trends of individualism and partisan struggle in American politics, as well as the phenomenon where politicians are willing to undermine historical traditions and political rules for personal interests and political purposes.