White House Sparks Outrage with Plaques Targeting Obama, Critics Call It Disrespectful

By Rob Redding

Editor & Publisher

NEW YORK, Dec. 22, 2025, 11 a.m. — The White House has ignited a firestorm of controversy after unveiling a series of new plaques on its exterior that criticize former President Barack Obama, while barely mentioning his successor, Vice President Joe Biden. The plaques, installed beneath presidential portraits on the colonnade, have drawn sharp division among Americans and political leaders alike.

One plaque under Obama's portrait labels him "one of the most divisive political figures in American History," a characterization that stands in stark contrast to his retrospective favorability rating in 2025, which is the highest of any of the past five presidents, at 59% favorable, according to Gallup. In comparison, Donald Trump's favorable rating in the same poll was 48%.

The plaque further attacks Obama's signature legislation, the Affordable Care Act, saying it was "highly ineffective." However, the data tells a different story. The number of uninsured Americans dropped from 14.8% in 2012, before the law was fully implemented, to 8.6% in 2016, Obama's final year in office.

Another plaque under Obama's portrait accuses him of "spying on the 2016 presidential campaign," a claim that has been thoroughly debunked by fact-checkers and investigations. Despite the baseless accusations, Obama's legacy continues to endure, with his signature healthcare law remaining in place and his diplomatic efforts yielding historic breakthroughs in nuclear disarmament and climate change.

In a bizarre oversight, the plaques make no mention of Obama's successor, Joe Biden. Instead, they focus on criticizing his predecessor, leaving many to wonder if the White House is trying to rewrite history.

"This is a clear attempt to undermine the legacy of one of America's greatest presidents," said Senator Elizabeth Warren. "The White House should be ashamed of itself for perpetuating such falsehoods and disrespecting the office of the presidency."

The controversy has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many calling for the plaques to be removed and Obama's legacy to be respected.

"This is a dark day for American democracy," tweeted Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. "We must stand up against the erasure of truth and the disrespect of our leaders."

As the controversy continues to simmer, one thing is clear: the White House has made a grave mistake in trying to rewrite history and undermine the legacy of Barack Obama.

Rob Redding is the author of the forthcoming book Black Power in the Age of Artificial Supremacy Featuring Redding-Shim Kwet Yung out on Jan. 5, 2026. He is the bestselling author of 17 books. He is the host of Redding News Review Unrestricted and creator of ReddingNewsReview.com. He is also an emerging visual artist who lives and teaches at two colleges in New York City.