The Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery reopened its presidents exhibit on May 16, 2026 [3], featuring a refreshed presentation of Donald Trump’s portrait.
The change reflects an ongoing effort by museum officials to navigate the presentation of highly polarized political figures in a public space. By altering the accompanying text, the institution is attempting to balance historical record with a cautious approach to avoid further politicizing the artwork.
The updated display pairs the portrait with a 178-word excerpt [1] from the 2021 farewell address of Donald Trump (R-NY). The selected text highlights "restored self-government" and "the idea that in America no one is forgotten, because everyone matters and everyone has a voice" [1].
However, the exhibit no longer includes a reference to the former president's impeachments. This specific content was removed on Aug. 1, 2025 [2]. Museum officials said the removal was a temporary measure while they review exhibit content to ensure a balanced presentation.
“We are reviewing the content of the exhibit and will make adjustments as needed to present a balanced historical narrative,” a Smithsonian spokesperson said [2].
The decision has drawn criticism from the former president. “The Smithsonian is trying to rewrite history and erase the truth about my impeachments,” Trump said in a post on X [3].
Curator Sarah Torok and other officials said that the current approach is a step toward a more neutral historical narrative. The museum continues to evaluate how to incorporate the complexities of the Trump administration into the permanent display without triggering partisan conflict.
““We are reviewing the content of the exhibit and will make adjustments as needed to present a balanced historical narrative,””
The Smithsonian's decision to temporarily remove impeachment references while highlighting a farewell address suggests a struggle to define 'balance' in contemporary historical curation. By prioritizing a subject's own words over legal and legislative milestones, the museum is testing whether a more cautious, less confrontational presentation can mitigate political pressure, even at the risk of being accused of erasing historical facts.
