Photo of Putin and Trump from Alaska summit now hangs in renovated White House

WASHINGTON, DC: A framed photograph showing President Donald Trump standing alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin during a high-profile summit in Alaska is now hanging inside the White House, newly released images from a renovated room reveal.

The image, captured ahead of closed-door talks focused on the war in Ukraine, is displayed in the Palm Room, a lobby-style space connecting the West Wing to the White House Residence that is typically used by visitors and staff.

The placement of the photograph has drawn attention as part of a series of interior changes under the Trump administration, blending diplomatic moments with personal family imagery in one of the building’s newly updated areas.

Alaska summit photo takes center stage

The framed image shows Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin standing side by side on a tarmac at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025. The two leaders posed for cameras shortly before entering a private summit aimed at exploring possible pathways to ending the war in Ukraine, according to the New York Times.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was not present at the meeting, which was conducted behind closed doors and drew international scrutiny due to the absence of Ukrainian representation.

The photograph was distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik and later circulated by major outlets, including Bloomberg, according to image credits attached to the newly released White House photos.

Family moment displayed below

Directly beneath the Trump-Putin photograph hangs a separate framed image showing Trump with one of his grandchildren during the NASCAR Daytona 500 in Florida earlier in 2025.

The pairing of the two images, one marking a geopolitical moment and the other a personal family outing, reflects the administration’s approach to blending presidential legacy, diplomacy, and private life within the White House’s redesigned interior spaces.

The Palm Room itself has undergone modest renovations compared to other areas of the White House that have seen more dramatic changes.

According to the New York Times, updates to the space included the installation of three new chandeliers and the addition of marble flooring. Despite the upgrades, the room has maintained its traditional function as a connecting lobby between the West Wing and the residential quarters.

Photographs taken on January 27, 2026, show the renovated space displaying both the international summit image and the family photograph as focal decorative elements.

Larger renovations reshape White House

While the Palm Room received relatively light updates, major construction projects are underway elsewhere on the White House grounds.

The largest renovation involves the construction of a new ballroom expected to span 90,000 square feet once completed, large enough to accommodate up to 999 guests. Trump has long argued that the White House lacked a sufficiently large venue to host major events and formal gatherings.

In addition, the Lincoln Bathroom was renovated after Trump criticized its previous art deco style, calling it “totally inappropriate.”