Changes to Trump's Portrait at Smithsonian Reflect Political Influence

Mon Jan 12 2026 03:22:51 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The recent alteration to the portrait of Donald Trump displayed at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery removes references to his impeachments, showcasing a shift in how U.S. history might be presented under political influence.

The Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery has updated the display of Donald Trump's portrait by removing references to his two impeachment trials. This change coincides with a broader effort by the Trump administration to realign museum narratives with a vision that emphasizes American exceptionalism. This is part of a contentious debate on how history is documented and presented in federal museums, contrasting with the stories of other presidents such as Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton, whose impeachments remain noted in their portraits. Trump's renewed focus on his legacy comes as he prepares for another presidential campaign in 2024.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The portrait of former President Donald Trump at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery has had all references to his two impeachments removed. This change marks an apparent shift in the official presentation of U.S. history amid allegations of bias from Trump himself.

The updates also highlight Trump's assertion of influence over historical narratives, as he prepares for his anticipated campaign in 2024. The new display features a photograph of Trump during his first term without any accompanying text, making it notably distinct from other presidential displays.

Originally, the wall text encapsulated key aspects of his presidency, including his Supreme Court nominations and the development of COVID-19 vaccines. It read: “Impeached twice, on charges of abuse of power and incitement of insurrection after supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol,” which has now been omitted.

The White House has not disclosed whether they requested these changes specifically. However, Trump had earlier instructed Smithsonian officials to review exhibits as part of an initiative to promote American exceptionalism ahead of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.

Trump’s supporters view the new display as a fitting representation of his presidency, prompting White House spokesman Davis Ingle to comment on the importance of maintaining Trump’s “unmatched aura” within the gallery.

The portrait by White House photographer Daniel Torok now displays Trump leaning over his Oval Office desk, accompanied by medallions indicating his terms. While other presidents include extensive biographical narratives, Trump's display reflects a growing trend to streamline how presidential history is portrayed.

In contrast, displays of Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Richard Nixon retain their references to impeachment. The Smithsonian assures that impeachment history remains central to its narrative across museums, stating, “The history of Presidential impeachments continues to be represented in our museums.”

Trump continues to advocate for a strategic reshaping of how history is documented, a move that resonates with his broader political narrative and goals heading into the next presidential election.

}