Changes at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery Under Trump’s Influence
The Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., has made notable adjustments to its display of President Donald Trump, removing references to his two impeachments. This alteration comes amidst Trump’s ongoing efforts to influence how U.S. history is documented in official presentations.
Previously, the gallery’s “American Presidents” exhibition included a wall text summarizing Trump’s presidency, highlighting both his achievements and controversies. However, this text has been removed from beside a photograph of Trump taken during his first term. The current display now features a new photograph without an accompanying text block, although the original text remains accessible online. Notably, Trump is the only president in the gallery without any extended biographical text.
The White House has not commented on whether it requested these changes, and the Smithsonian has not provided specific answers to related inquiries. However, in August, Trump directed Smithsonian officials to review all exhibits ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. This directive aims to ensure exhibits celebrate American exceptionalism and remove potentially divisive narratives.
The original portrait label noted Trump’s Supreme Court nominations and his administration’s role in developing COVID-19 vaccines. It also mentioned his two impeachments and subsequent Senate acquittals. Additionally, it highlighted Trump’s historic comeback in the 2024 election, making him the only president besides Grover Cleveland to serve non-consecutive terms.
White House spokesman Davis Ingle praised the new photograph, noting it captures Trump with a determined expression in the Oval Office. Ingle stated that this ensures Trump’s “unmatched aura … will be felt throughout the halls of the National Portrait Gallery.” The photograph by White House photographer Daniel Torok includes medallions noting Trump’s position as both the 45th and 47th president, consistent with other presidents’ displays.
Currently, sitting presidents are represented by photographs until their official portraits are completed. The gallery has rotated two previous photographs of Trump before displaying Torok’s work. “The museum is beginning its planned update of the America’s Presidents gallery, which will undergo a larger refresh this Spring,” the gallery stated. It is considering using quotes or tombstone labels for new exhibitions, which provide only general information.
Despite these changes, references to the impeachments of Presidents Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton, as well as President Richard Nixon’s resignation, remain part of their portrait labels. The gallery maintains that the history of presidential impeachments is still represented in its museums, including the National Museum of American History.
Trump has actively sought to shape the portrayal of U.S. history and culture at federal institutions. He criticized how the Smithsonian has addressed topics such as chattel slavery and has taken steps to influence depictions of himself and his contemporaries.
In recent months, Trump dismissed the head archivist of the National Archives and announced the firing of the National Portrait Gallery’s director, Kim Sajet, who eventually resigned despite having the board’s support.
At the White House, Trump has curated a distinctly partisan “Presidential Walk of Fame” featuring luxurious images of himself and previous presidents. These displays, authored by Trump, praise his presidencies while criticizing President Biden as “by far, the worst President in American History.”
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