At a Glance
- President Trump’s National Portrait Gallery display no longer mentions his two impeachments
- The original text block describing his presidency has been removed entirely
- Other impeached presidents still have references in their displays
- Why it matters: The change signals how Trump is reshaping federal cultural institutions to align with his version of history
President Donald Trump’s photo portrait at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery has undergone a significant change. References to his two impeachments have been removed from the display, marking the latest apparent revision at institutions he has accused of bias.
Display Changes
The original wall text summarized Trump’s first presidency and noted his 2024 comeback victory. It was part of the museum’s “America’s Presidents” exhibition alongside a photograph taken during his first term. Now, a different photo appears without any accompanying text block, though the text remains available online.
Trump is currently the only president whose display in the gallery does not include extended text. The original “portrait label” detailed several aspects of his presidency:
- His Supreme Court nominations
- Administration’s development of COVID-19 vaccines
- Two impeachments on charges of abuse of power and incitement of insurrection
- His historic comeback in the 2024 election
The impeachment section specifically stated: “Impeached twice, on charges of abuse of power and incitement of insurrection after supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, he was acquitted by the Senate in both trials.”
New Portrait Features
The replacement photograph shows Trump with a furrowed brow, leaning over his Oval Office desk. White House spokesman Davis Ingle celebrated the new image, saying it ensures Trump’s “unmatched aura… will be felt throughout the halls of the National Portrait Gallery.”
The portrait was taken by White House photographer Daniel Torok. The display includes medallions noting Trump as both the 45th and 47th president. Similar numerical medallions appear alongside other presidents’ painted portraits, which also include extended biographical summaries.
Broader Institutional Changes
Last August, Trump ordered Smithsonian officials to review all exhibits before the July 4 celebration of the Declaration of Independence’s 250th anniversary. The administration stated this effort would:
- Ensure alignment with celebrating American exceptionalism
- Remove divisive or partisan narratives
- Restore confidence in shared cultural institutions
The White House did not confirm whether it requested these specific changes. The Smithsonian also did not respond to questions about the alteration.
Other Presidents’ Displays
References to other impeached presidents remain intact:
- Andrew Johnson – impeached in 1868
- Bill Clinton – impeached in 1998
- Richard Nixon – 1974 resignation over Watergate scandal
The gallery statement noted: “The history of Presidential impeachments continues to be represented in our museums, including the National Museum of American History.”
Personnel Changes
Before ordering the Smithsonian review, Trump fired the head archivist of the National Archives and attempted to fire National Portrait Gallery director Kim Sajet. While Sajet maintained support from the Smithsonian’s governing board, she ultimately resigned.
White House Exhibit
Trump has also created a partisan “Presidential Walk of Fame” at the White House featuring:
- Gilded photographs of himself and predecessors
- Exception of Biden, represented by an autopen
- Plaques describing presidencies
The White House confirmed Trump was a primary author of these plaques. His two plaques praise his presidencies as historically successful. Biden’s description calls him “by far, the worst President in American History” who “brought our Nation to the brink of destruction.”
Gallery Response
The gallery stated it previously rotated two Trump photographs before displaying Torok’s work. The museum is beginning planned updates to the America’s Presidents gallery, with a larger refresh scheduled for spring.
For new exhibitions, the museum is exploring “quotes or tombstone labels” providing only general information like artist names. This approach appears to be what now characterizes Trump’s display.
Historical Context
Sitting presidents are traditionally represented by photographs until official paintings are commissioned and completed. Trump’s display follows this pattern, though without the accompanying biographical information provided for other presidents.
The changes at the Smithsonian reflect Trump’s broader efforts to shape how federal institutions document U.S. history and culture. He has particularly criticized how museums have featured chattel slavery’s role in national development while taking steps to reshape depictions of himself and his contemporary rivals.
