Trump derided for hanging gaudy painting of himself with past presidents in White House

Bizarre artwork mocked as 'tacky' and 'tasteless' on social media

Donald Trump has made a striking addition to the White House’s art collection – a painting of himself hanging out with Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon and Abraham Lincoln.

Shots of the gaudy fantasy scene were widely shared on social media after it was spotted in the background of his interview with CBS’ 60 Minutes on Sunday evening.

It depicts Mr Trump shooting the breeze with past Republican presidents, sitting at a table in between Dwight Eisenhower and Teddy Roosevelt. Both Bushes and Gerald Ford are also found in the happy tableau.

The painting by artist Andy Thomas - entitled “The Republican Club” – was given to the president as a gift by GOP congressman Darrell Issa.

Amateur art critics pointed out its similarity to the popular classic “Dogs Playing Poker” by American painter Cassius Marcellus Coolidge.

Some on social media lambasted the artwork as “tacky” and “tasteless”. The actor and liberal activist George Takei called it “horrific”.

Novelist Molly Jong-Fast tweeted: “Lincoln is quietly changing his party affiliation in his grave.”

Despite the sneers, the artist himself was delighted to receive the approval of the US president. Mr Thomas revealed Mr Trump had called him up a few weeks ago to compliment his work.

“He basically said, ‘Most portraits of me I really don’t like,’” the artist told TIME. “And he’s right. He’s hard to paint. There’s some bad ones out there.”

“I was ecstatic,” said Mr Thomas after realising the painting was now on display in the White House.

“A lot of times gifts aren’t really hung up, they’re just pushed in a closet somewhere. To find out it’s actually hanging is really a treat.”

Mr Thomas, who mostly paints cowboys and scenes from the Old West, has previously depicted Republican presidents playing poker and Democratic presidents playing pool together.

Mr Issa, a fan of Mr Thomas’ work, had previously commissioned a portrait of himself from the artist. “He’s a really friendly guy and he said, ‘If I get a chance, I’m going to show this to Donald,’” Mr Thomas told The Daily Beast.

Last year, Mr Trump ordered a redecoration of the Oval Office. Other changes he made to White House décor since assuming office have been described as “gaudy”.