White House portrait ceremony may be the latest casualty of the political divide

[Dennis Donovan]

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/white-house-portrait-ceremony-may-be-latest-casualty-political-divide-n1209676

The traditional White House portrait unveiling may be skipped for the first time in decades amid bad blood between Trump and Obama.

May 19, 2020, 5:30 AM EDT
By Carol E. Lee

WASHINGTON — It's been a White House tradition for decades: a first-term president hosts his immediate predecessor in the East Room for a ceremony to unveil the portrait of the former president that will hang in the halls of the White House for posterity.

Republican presidents have done it for Democratic presidents, and vice versa — even when one of them ascended to the White House by defeating or sharply criticizing the other.

"We may have our differences politically," President Barack Obama said when he hosted former President George W. Bush for his portrait unveiling in 2012, "but the presidency transcends those differences."

Yet this modern ritual won't be taking place between Obama and President Donald Trump, according to people familiar with the matter. And if Trump wins a second term in November, it could be 2025 before Obama returns to the White House to see his portrait displayed among every U.S. president from George Washington to Bush.

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[JI7]

1. Good, I actually thought about this long time ago and I hope it never happens while he is there

Hopefully he will be gone next year and they could do it then.

[samnsara]

4. i wonder if Presdient Biden will invite ex prez forever impeached trump back?

[DinahMoeHum]

5. Somehow, I don't think so.

Last edited Tue May 19, 2020, 10:13 AM - Edit history (1)

As it is, the former POTUS club (Carter, Clinton, W and Obama) doesn't really want much to do with Trump. The latter has burned too many bridges.

https://meaww.com/donald-trump-no-place-in-presidents-club-after-term-insults-living-predecessors-obama-bush-carter





#newrostrong

[Proud liberal 80]

2. As always

The “liberal” media plays the both sides narrative. Acting as if this is some feud in which both people are to blame.

[uncle ray]

7. i'm not seeing that in this article.

what gave you that impression?

[Proud liberal 80]

10. Right here

It's too soon to know whether the absence of the uniquely harmonious occasion, when presidents set aside political differences, is just a reflection of a singular dynamic between two presidents whose differences have increasingly been aired in full view or whether it is symbolic of a broader, bitter political era.

[melm00se]

9. The quote in my signature is

applicable here.

In case you (or others) cannot see it, here it is:

"I observe that it is my fate, that while I strive to be of service to both parties, I am stoned from both sides" - Erasmus of Rotterdam

[Princess Turandot]

3. The Bush portraits were unveiled in 5/2012...

I'm guessing that the White House Historical Association - which I believe organizes this - likely wants nothing to do at the moment with the ignoramus who called their pride-and-joy a "dump", and will wait until he's gone.

Here's the ceremony, if you're inclined to watch it. Both of the Obamas as well as both of the Bushes spoke. It was low key and reasonably pleasant.

[underpants]

6. None of this sounds like anything Trump can do

"It's a statement of generosity on (the part of) the current president and first lady," former White House curator Betty Monkman said in an interview with the White House Historical Association in 2017. "And it's a very warm, lovely moment."

[Guilded Lilly]

8. This just reminded me that there will eventually be an official portrait of that...

wretched sociopath Cretin fouling some wall space in The White House and I almost threw up. Gawd.

[SoonerPride]

11. I'm sure it will hang in a place of honor

Like a basement toilet