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The Smithsonian Institution unveiled a new portrait of President Donald Trump last week, while removing most of the accompanying text that referenced his two impeachments and the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
The changes at the National Portrait Gallery’s “America’s Presidents” exhibit follow Trump’s accusations that museums are “woke” and biased, along with a White House order requiring the Smithsonian to provide extensive internal records by Jan. 13 or risk potential federal funding cuts.
While the institution previously displayed Trump against a black background with his hands folded in front of him, visitors will now see a new black-and-white photo by White House photographer Daniel Torok. The new portrait shows the president with his fists on the Resolute Desk, staring directly into the camera.
“For the first time in history, the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery has hung up an iconic photo taken by the White House honoring President Trump,” White House spokesman Davis Ingle told Digital on Sunday. “His unmatched aura will be seen and felt throughout the halls of the National Portrait Gallery.”
TRUMP CALLS SMITHSONIAN “OUT OF CONTROL” AND ORDERS SWEEPING REVIEW OF ALL MUSEUMS AND PROGRAMMING
A plaque with minimal text is displayed next to a new portrait of President Donald Trump at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery’s “American Presidents” exhibit on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)
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.
WHITE HOUSE REVIEWING ALL SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM, EXHIBIT CONTENT BEFORE AMERICA 250 CELEBRATION IN 2026
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.”
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 Digital that photographs will be displayed until the institution completes an official painted portrait.
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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.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
