White House unveils official portraits of the Obamas

Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama returned to the White House on Wednesday for the unveiling of their long-awaited official portraits, which are not to be confused with those of the Smithsonian Museum from 2018, The New York Times reports.
The cheery ceremony marked a certain return to form for the White House, which did not schedule the event under former President Donald Trump. It is customary for a sitting president to unveil their predecessor's portrait once it is ready, the Times notes.
But President Biden has now taken up the charge, and appeared all too excited to welcome the Obamas back to Pennsylvania Ave, writes The Washington Post. "Barack and Michelle, welcome home," the president said during his brief remarks, after which the portraits, painted by Robert McCurdy and Sharon Sprung, were uncovered.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Obama then took a moment to address the crowd that had gathered in the White House's East Room, many of whom used to work in his administration, per the Post. He also thanked Sprung "for capturing everything I love about Michelle," and McCurdy for "taking on a much more difficult subject, and doing a fantastic job with mine."
"When future generations walk these halls and look up at these portraits, I hope they get a better, honest sense of who Michelle and I were," Obama continued. "And I hope they lead with a deeper understanding that if we could make it here, maybe they can do remarkable things, too."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
Trump orders NFL team to change name, or else
Speed Read The president wants the Washington Commanders to change its name back to the 'Redskins'
-
Are referees and 'physicality' hurting the WNBA?
Today's Big Question The league is growing, but Caitlin Clark's absence raises questions
-
Israeli gunfire kills dozens at Gaza aid site
Speed Read The U.N. estimates that at least 875 Palestinians have died while trying to access food in recent months
-
Trump officials who hold more than one job
IN THE SPOTLIGHT Wearing multiple hats has become the norm inside a White House known for a revolving door of functionaries and officials
-
President diagnosed with 'chronic venous insufficiency'
Speed Read The vein disorder has given Trump swollen ankles and visible bruising on his hands
-
'Bawdy' Trump letter supercharges Epstein scandal
Speed Read The Wall Street Journal published details of Trump's alleged birthday letter to Epstein
-
Fed chair Powell in Trump's firing line
Speed Read The president considers removing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell
-
Trump trashes supporters over Epstein files
speed read The president lashed out on social media following criticism of his administration's Jeffrey Epstein investigation
-
Judge nixes wiping medical debt from credit checks
Speed Read Medical debt can now be included in credit reports
-
Grijalva wins Democratic special primary for Arizona
Speed Read She will go up against Republican nominee Daniel Butierez to fill the US House seat her father held until his death earlier this year
-
US inflation jumps as Trump tariffs 'bite'
Speed Read Consumer prices are climbing and the inflation rate rose to its highest level in four months