Smithsonian Removes Text About Trump Impeachments
President Trump speaks during a meeting with oil executives in the East Room of the White House, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery has replaced its official portrait of President Trump and updated the accompanying wall text, removing references to his two impeachments, according to the Washington Post. The revised caption is notably brief, listing only Trump’s years in office.
Museum officials said the change reflects a broader shift toward “tombstone labels,” a minimalist approach commonly used in art museums. However, other portraits in the same gallery continue to include more detailed historical context, including references to Bill Clinton’s impeachment.
The earlier label for Trump’s portrait stated that he was impeached twice—on charges of abuse of power and incitement of insurrection following the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol—and acquitted by the Senate in both trials, according to the New York Times. A Trump administration official had previously objected to the impeachment language as the White House was pressing the Smithsonian to remove National Portrait Gallery director Kim Sajet, who later resigned.
Neither the Smithsonian nor the White House has said whether the administration requested the revised label. The new portrait, showing a resolute-looking Trump, was taken by White House photographer Daniel Torok and has been praised by the president. Trump previously shared the image on Truth Social, writing, “In the Oval Office, getting ready to leave our imprint on the World. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
About Post Author
