The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery has revised its display of President Donald Trump in the “America’s Presidents” exhibition, replacing the previous portrait and removing a detailed label that referenced his two impeachments and the January 6 Capitol attack. The descriptive text has been substituted with a minimal biographical tag.
New Portrait and Gallery Changes
The updated installation features a black-and-white Oval Office photograph captured by White House photographer Daniel Torok. In the image, Trump stands behind the Resolute Desk, hands planted and gaze fixed forward. According to the institution, this marks the third Trump portrait to rotate into the gallery since his first term.
The detailed label that once accompanied the display – containing policy highlights, historical notes, and references to impeachment – has been replaced by a short “tombstone”-style panel listing his birth year, tenure as the 45th and 47th president, dates in office, and photographer credit.
Historical References Removed From Display
The previous label, which remains accessible online, discussed Trump’s judicial appointments, foreign policy agreements in the Middle East, and vaccine development efforts during the pandemic. It also documented his two impeachment trials, the charges, and the Senate acquittals, while noting his return to office after a nonconsecutive term – a rarity last seen under Grover Cleveland. None of this contextual information appears in the updated gallery display.
Smithsonian Explains Label Change
A spokesperson for the Smithsonian said the update is part of a wider effort to refresh the “America’s Presidents” gallery ahead of a planned spring renovation. As part of that process, the museum has experimented with simplified labels focusing primarily on artists and medium rather than political or historical framing. The institution noted that presidential impeachment history remains present in other Smithsonian museums, including the National Museum of American History.
White House Response and Political Pressure
The Trump White House quickly amplified the gallery update on social media, calling the installation a historic moment and praising the photograph as an iconic representation of the president. The adjustment arrives amid broader tension between the administration and cultural institutions. In 2025, the White House launched policy directives aimed at removing federally funded programming it deemed divisive and ordered reviews of several Smithsonian museums.
Last year’s political strain peaked when Trump attempted to dismiss Kim Sajet, then director of the National Portrait Gallery, criticizing her for alleged partisan conduct. The museum’s board rejected the removal, though Sajet resigned months later.
Impeachment Background
Trump was impeached twice by the House of Representatives – first in 2019 over efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate political rivals, and again in 2021 on charges tied to the January 6 Capitol breach following the 2020 election. In both cases, the Senate voted to acquit.
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