The Smithsonian Institution recently introduced a new portrait of former President Donald Trump, significantly altering the accompanying text that previously mentioned his two impeachments and the events of January 6, 2021, at the Capitol.
This development at the National Portrait Gallery’s “America’s Presidents” exhibition comes amid Trump’s criticisms of museums for being “woke” and biased. Moreover, a White House directive has ordered the Smithsonian to submit comprehensive internal records by January 13, threatening potential cuts to federal funding if requirements are not met.
The earlier display featured Trump with a somber expression against a black backdrop, hands clasped. Now, the gallery presents a striking black-and-white photograph by White House photographer Daniel Torok, capturing Trump with his fists on the Resolute Desk, meeting the camera’s gaze head-on.
“This marks a historic moment as the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery showcases an iconic photo taken by the White House, honoring President Trump,” White House spokesperson Davis Ingle shared with Fox News Digital. “His remarkable presence will resonate throughout the gallery’s halls.”
The new portrait is accompanied by a plaque with minimal text, marking a shift from the previous description, which noted, “Impeached twice—on charges of abuse of power and incitement of insurrection after supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021—he was acquitted by the Senate in both trials.”
Previously, the text beside Trump’s portrait read: “Impeached twice—on charges of abuse of power and incitement of insurrection after supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021—he was acquitted by the Senate in both trials.”
According to photos, the original placard has been replaced with a shorter one that only lists Trump’s years in office.
As of Sunday, Trump was the only president in the gallery whose display lacked extended text highlighting key events, according to the Associated Press (AP). By contrast, other portraits, including those of former Presidents Bill Clinton and Andrew Johnson, reportedly still note their impeachments.
A photo of President Donald Trump is displayed in the “America’s Presidents” exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery on June 1, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
The gallery said in a statement to the AP that “the museum has been exploring quotes or tombstone labels, which provide only general information, such as the artist’s name.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the National Portrait Gallery for more information.
Trump praised the change in a post on Truth Social Friday, sharing a photo of the new display.
A visitor stops to look at a photograph of President Donald Trump and a short plaque next to it at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery’s “American Presidents” exhibit on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Anna Johnson)
A White House official told Fox News Digital that photographs will be displayed until the institution completes an official painted portrait.
The changes were made after the White House ordered a sweeping review of all museums ahead of America’s 250th anniversary of independence.
In an August post on Truth Social, Trump blasted the institutions as “woke,” accusing the Smithsonian and other museums nationwide of promoting narratives that disparage the U.S. rather than celebrate its achievements.
