White House praised Trump’s “unmatched aura” after Smithsonian gallery change

Text About Jan. 6 Also Removed

The National Portrait Gallery made a change that has drawn public attention.

President Trump’s display in the America’s Presidents exhibit now shows a different photo and almost no historical information. The wall text describing his two impeachments and the January 6 Capitol attack has been removed and replaced with a minimal placard.

New Photo Shows Fists on Desk

The new portrait is a black-and-white image taken by White House photographer Daniel Torok. It shows Trump, fists clenched on the Resolute Desk, staring directly into the camera.

Torok, a Coast Guard veteran and former filmmaker, became chief White House photographer on January 20, 2025.

Trump’s official portraits have drawn comparisons to his 2023 mugshot, and Torok confirmed the mugshot inspired his approach. The White House shared the image on social media around the time of the gallery’s change.

Previous Text Mentioned Both Impeachments

The original wall text stated that Trump was impeached twice on charges of abuse of power and incitement of insurrection after supporters attacked the Capitol on January 6, 2021, and that he was acquitted by the Senate both times.

The label also noted his Supreme Court nominations and his administration’s role in developing COVID-19 vaccines.

That entire text block is now gone, replaced by a short placard listing only Trump’s birth year, his status as the 45th and 47th president, and the photographer’s name.

Trump Is Only President Without Full Label

As of Sunday, Trump was the only president in the gallery whose display lacked extended text highlighting key events. Every other portrait includes biographical information about the president’s time in office.

References to Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton being impeached in 1868 and 1998 remain part of their portrait labels, as does Richard Nixon’s 1974 resignation over Watergate.

White House Celebrates the New Display

White House spokesman Davis Ingle said the new photograph ensures Trump’s “unmatched aura will be seen and felt throughout the halls of the National Portrait Gallery.”

Ingle also noted this was the first time the gallery had displayed a photo taken by the White House itself.

Trump shared the image on his Truth Social account and praised the change. Neither the White House nor the Smithsonian confirmed whether the administration directly requested the text removal.

December Letter Threatened Federal Funding

A December 18, 2025 letter from the White House warned that federal funds for the Smithsonian’s approximately $1.09 billion budget depend on the institution fulfilling the terms of an executive order.

The letter, signed by White House officials Lindsey Halligan, Vince Haley, and OMB Director Russell Vought, stated that if materials were not submitted by January 13, 2026, the White House could withhold congressionally authorized funding.

The Smithsonian submitted documents on Tuesday, including digital photographs of labels, placards, and other texts on display.

Eight Museums Face Content Review

The first phase of the review includes the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of the American Indian, the National Air and Space Museum, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Hirshhorn Museum.

The process will include an analysis of everything from exhibition texts and social media content to curatorial processes and exhibition planning.

March 2025 Executive Order Started This

Trump’s March 27, 2025, executive order, titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” directly criticized the Smithsonian for promoting what he called “divisive, race-centered ideology.”

The order calls for removing “improper ideology” from the museums.

A follow-up letter stated that the American people will have no patience for any museum that is uncomfortable conveying a positive view of American history.

Gallery Director Resigned After Firing Attempt

On May 30, 2025, Trump claimed to have fired Kim Sajet, the gallery’s director since 2013.

Legal experts pointed out that the president does not have the authority to fire Smithsonian employees, as the institution is not a federal agency, and Sajet’s position was appointed by the Smithsonian Board of Regents.

On June 13, 2025, Sajet resigned, saying she believed stepping aside was the best way to serve the institution. She was the first woman to lead the National Portrait Gallery since its founding in 1962.

Smithsonian Says It Controls Its Content

The Smithsonian receives about 62% of its annual budget from federal appropriations, but it operates as an independent trust, not an executive agency.

The Board of Regents, which includes Vice President JD Vance and Chief Justice John Roberts as ex officio members, has said it will maintain “vigilant, independent oversight” of the museums.

Democratic senators have urged the Smithsonian to resist attempts by the White House to pressure the institution.

Original Label Still Available Online

The previous portrait label remains available on the museum’s website. It includes all the information that was removed from the gallery wall, including the impeachment language and Trump’s 2024 comeback.

The online text also notes that Trump is the only president aside from Grover Cleveland to win a nonconsecutive second term.

Visitors who want the full history can still find it, just not in the room.

Gallery Plans Bigger Changes This Spring

A Smithsonian spokesperson said the museum is beginning its planned update of the America’s Presidents gallery, which will undergo a larger refresh this spring.

The gallery has been exploring “tombstone labels,” which provide only basic information like the artist’s name.

Whether that approach will apply to all presidents or just Trump remains unclear. For now, visitors will see one display that looks different from the rest.

Visit the National Portrait Gallery in Washington

The National Portrait Gallery is located at 8th and F Streets NW in Washington, connected to the Smithsonian American Art Museum in the same historic building.

The America’s Presidents exhibition is free and open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can see every president from George Washington to the present, though the labels and photos may keep changing.

The nearest Metro stop is Gallery Place-Chinatown.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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