Story perspectives

Smithsonian Removes Trump Impeachment References Amid Controversy

1/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery removed references to U.S. President Donald Trump's impeachments from his portrait display.
The label now lists only his birth date and presidential terms.
The change followed pressure from the Trump administration, which accused the museum of bias and demanded a review.
The gallery is exploring a new approach to exhibit labels while other presidents' displays retain more detail.

History

Historical Context

The National Portrait Gallery, established in 1962, has faced ongoing debates over historical representation, particularly regarding presidential legacies. Following Richard Nixon's resignation in 1974 amid the Watergate scandal, the editing of his records sparked scrutiny. Recently, the Gallery's removal of impeachment references from Donald Trump's display echoes past efforts to sanitize political narratives, highlighting the tension between history and public memory.

1 of 2

Story summary

The Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery removed references to U.S. President Donald Trump's impeachments from his portrait display.
The label now lists only his birth date and presidential terms.
The change followed pressure from the Trump administration, which accused the museum of bias and demanded a review.
The gallery is exploring a new approach to exhibit labels while other presidents' displays retain more detail.

1 / 2