Politics

Smithsonian updates Trump display, removes text referencing impeachments

Illustration for: Smithsonian updates Trump display, removes text referencing impeachments
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Jan 12, 2026

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The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery has updated the display for President Donald Trump within its "America's Presidents" exhibition, replacing his portrait and removing accompanying text that referenced his two impeachments. The new installation, observed recently, features a black-and-white photograph of Trump standing at the Resolute Desk.

Prior to the change, the text block summarizing Trump's first term included details such as his Supreme Court nominations, the development of COVID-19 vaccines, and his impeachments on charges of abuse of power and incitement of insurrection, along with his subsequent Senate acquittals. The updated plaque now lists only his years in office. Consequently, Trump is currently the only president in the gallery without a biographical summary on his display. By contrast, the labels for Presidents Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton continue to note their impeachments, and President Richard Nixon’s display retains a reference to his resignation.

In a statement, the Smithsonian explained that the museum is beginning a planned update of the gallery and is exploring different label formats. A White House official added that the current photograph is intended as a temporary display until an official painted portrait is completed. White House spokesperson Davis Ingle praised the new image but did not confirm whether the administration explicitly requested the removal of the text.

The modification follows an August directive from President Trump for Smithsonian officials to review all exhibits to "remove divisive or partisan narratives" ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary. Reports suggest the administration has intensified scrutiny of the institution; one source stated the White House recently demanded internal records under the threat of funding cuts, while another noted that the gallery’s director previously resigned following the president's dismissal of the head archivist.

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• The new display creates an inconsistency compared to other presidential exhibits Unlike the displays for Presidents Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton, which continue to note their impeachments, or President Richard Nixon’s, which references his resignation, the updated text for President Trump omits these biographical details. Consequently, he is currently the only president in the gallery whose display lacks a biographical summary.

• Significant historical events recorded in the previous text have been removed Prior to the update, the text block summarized key events from the President's first term, including Supreme Court nominations, the development of COVID-19 vaccines, and his two impeachments and acquittals. The updated plaque has stripped away all such context, listing only the years he held office.

• Reports suggest the institution is facing intensified political pressure Sources indicate that the administration has increased its scrutiny of the Smithsonian, with one source stating the White House demanded internal records under the threat of funding cuts. Additionally, reports note that the gallery’s director previously resigned following the President's dismissal of the institution's head archivist.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• Visitors to the National Portrait Gallery will encounter inconsistent biographical information, as the current display lacks the historical context found in exhibits for other presidents like Clinton or Nixon.

• You may witness broader shifts in federal museum content as officials enforce the directive to remove narratives deemed divisive or partisan ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary.

• Taxpayer-funded operations at the Smithsonian could face budgetary uncertainty following reports that the administration threatened funding cuts while demanding access to internal records.

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