Disney World’s Animatronic Trump No Longer Looks Like Hillary Clinton
July 1, 2025
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Walt Disney World Resort in Florida has reopened its iconic attraction dedicated to United States presidents, with the animatronic figure depicting President Donald Trump looking noticeably different from the rushed iteration that debuted in 2017.
The new life-sized figure in the Hall of Presidents at the Magic Kingdom was updated as part of a refurbishment of the attraction, and it appears to no longer strike an uncanny resemblance to Hillary Clinton.
Newsweek approached Disney for comment via email Tuesday morning.
Why It Matters
The speculation started in summer 2017, when Trump was first added to the Hall of Presidents, and visitors noticed that his animatronic looked much less like the real thing than other presidents in the Hall. A theory soon developed, never confirmed by Disney, that the company’s “Imagineers” – the creatives behind the parks – had built a Clinton animatronic assuming she would win the election, and had to hastily make changes in light of Trump’s upset victory.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s original animatronic figure at Walt Disney World Resort’s Hall of Presidents in 2017 (left) and the updated figure seen June 2025 (right) U.S. President Donald Trump’s original animatronic figure at Walt Disney World Resort’s Hall of Presidents in 2017 (left) and the updated figure seen June 2025 (right) Courtesy Walt Disney World News Today
What To Know
Trump’s new animatronic face quietly debuted when the Hall of presidents reopened on June 29, having closed for renovations following the inauguration in January.
Animatronic Trump was moved back to the center of the stage, as is the traditional spot for the sitting president, where he is surrounded by the likenesses of the 44 other men to have served in the role.
Walt Disney World News Today (WDWNT), which covers Disney parks, was first to note the changes made to the Trump figure’s face, pointing out that it bore significantly less resemblance to his former Democratic rival.
The rumor that Disney had been forced to modify the 2017 figure grew out of the Hall of Presidents’ extended downtime following inauguration day in 2017. While it is usually out of action for around six months when a new figure is added, it took around 11 that year.
The official line from Disney was that it had taken longer to record lines from Trump himself, but fans speculated online that Disney had simply assumed Clinton would win in 2016 and had already prepared her figure.
Fast-forward to 2025 and the robot now has slightly different features, including a new more life-like hairdo and a facial expression closer to Trump’s trademark glower. The figure’s vocal lines have also been changed, WDWNT reported.
Originally, the animatronic Trump gave a short speech about the “achievements of the American spirit” on top of the usual oath of office recited by the sitting president. That has been cut back to just the oath in the new version.
Former President Joe Biden’s likeness was moved to the side following Trump’s return to the center stage spot – the first time a figure has been sidelined and then returned since the Hall of Presidents first opened over 50 years ago.
What People Are Saying
Bridget Ziegler, a Trump supporter, on X: “Delivered faster (5 month turnaround vs 11mo in 2017 & then 6mo for Biden) AND even more important – MUCH more accurate & better representation of our extraordinary Commander in Chief.”
SparkcatcherBlog, a Disney Parks fan account on X: “Because of Trump’s non-consecutive terms, this is the first time a figure of a former president was re-positioned to the center spot.”
What’s Next
The attraction will likely remain in its current form through at least 2029, when it will close again for another refurbishment and installation of Trump’s successor.
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