US National Portrait Gallery removes January 6 and impeachment text from Trump display
The change came after the gallery replaced an older image of Trump with a new portrait showing him standing in the Oval Office, with his hands on the desk.
A visitor stops to look at a photograph of President Donald Trump and a short plaque next to it are on display at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery's "American Presidents" exhibit on Sunday. (Photo: AP)
The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington has removed a wall label that mentioned US President Donald Trump’s two impeachments and the January 6 attack on the US Capitol.
The change came after the gallery replaced an older image of Trump with a new portrait showing him standing in the Oval Office, with his hands on the desk. The updated display now carries a much shorter caption that lists only his years in office.
What was removed
The earlier text said Trump was “impeached twice” over abuse of power and incitement of insurrection linked to the Capitol riot, and that he was later acquitted by the Senate. That wording is no longer displayed.
A photograph of President Donald Trump and a short plaque next to it are on display at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery’s “American Presidents” exhibit on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026 in Washington. (AP Photo)
Visitors can still see the outline of the previous placard on the wall beneath the new label.
Museum response
The National Portrait Gallery did not respond to requests for comment. However, a gallery spokeswoman, Concetta Duncan, told the Washington Post that the museum is considering shorter, less detailed labels for some exhibits and that Trump’s portrait in the gallery has changed before.
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The move appears to be part of a broader effort by Trump to influence how US institutions present recent political history.
In July, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History also removed references to Trump’s two impeachments. In March, Trump signed an executive order barring the Smithsonian from funding exhibits or programmes that, in his words, undermine shared American values or conflict with federal policy.
People react to a photograph of President Donald Trump on display at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery’s “American Presidents” exhibit on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026 in Washington.( Photo: AP)
In May, Trump said he had dismissed the National Portrait Gallery’s director, Kim Sajet, calling her “highly partisan”. The Smithsonian’s board said personnel decisions rested with them, but Sajet later resigned.
Trump has repeatedly criticised depictions of himself. Last year, he complained about a portrait displayed in the Colorado state capitol, calling it distorted. The painting was later replaced.
In September, Trump also unveiled a “Presidential Walk of Fame” outside the White House. It included portraits of former presidents but excluded Joe Biden. Instead, Trump displayed an image of an autopen signing Biden’s name, reflecting his claim that Biden did not personally make decisions while in office.
What the new label says
The new caption beside Trump’s portrait simply states his time in office, unlike the earlier version, which also mentioned events such as his Supreme Court appointments and the development of Covid-19 vaccines.
A photograph of President Donald Trump and a short plaque next to it are on display at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery’s “American Presidents” exhibit on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026 in Washington. (AP Photo)
The change has renewed debate over how national museums present contested moments in recent US history and the role of politics in shaping public memory.
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A visitor stops to look at a photograph of President Donald Trump and a short plaque next to it are on display at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery's "American Presidents" exhibit on Sunday. (Photo: AP) 
