WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump revealed his unique approach to selecting presidential portraits for the White House redecorating process during a meeting with his Cabinet on Tuesday. Trump expressed a preference for frames over pictures, sharing his delight in personally overseeing the redecoration of the Cabinet Room and choosing which portraits to hang. He mentioned his involvement in selecting the room’s drapes and sought opinions on potentially painting the room in gold leaf, a suggestion supported by Cabinet members.
Taking pride in his hands-on approach, Trump mentioned spending time in the vaults to handpick artwork and portraits, emphasizing the effort he put into the project while working within a modest budget. He recounted directing the relocation of a grandfather clock from the State Department to the White House, despite a lack of public records indicating his visit during Senator Marco Rubio’s tenure.
Trump offered insights into his thoughts on various past presidents depicted in the portraits, starting with Andrew Jackson and including praise for William McKinley, along with a jab at Bill Clinton. He described James K. Polk as a one-term president who facilitated the addition of California to the United States, noting his choice of Polk’s portrait may have been influenced by its frame’s compatibility with Jackson’s portrait.
The president also commended Dwight D. Eisenhower for his contributions, highlighting the Interstate Highway System and his tough stance on immigration, while acknowledging the need for balance in policy decisions. Trump acknowledged Franklin D. Roosevelt as a four-term president and praised his legacy, particularly noting his influence on the inclusion of ramps for wheelchair accessibility. He concluded with admiration for Abraham Lincoln, emphasizing Lincoln’s reputation for honesty and significance in American history.
In his bedroom, a very significant place where wars are concluded, not declared, Abe Lincoln’s favorite portrait of himself adorned the walls for many years. The Lincoln Bedroom, with its historical significance, is noted for its past use by Bill Clinton. The first occupants of the White House were John Adams and his wife Abigail in 1800, while John Quincy Adams, their son, served as the sixth president later on. President William McKinley, often overlooked, was commended by Trump for his tariff policies that he believed benefited the country by making other nations pay for the privilege of entering and taking resources. Trump also mentioned his decision to restore the name of Mount McKinley for the people of Ohio, who felt insulted when it had been changed by Obama.
