Smithsonian adds back impeachment language to label on Trump portrait
The Smithsonian Institution has reinstated mention of Donald Trump's impeachments in the wall text accompanying his portrait at the National Portrait Gallery. The updated display lists the impeachments among key events of his first term but does not specify the reasons, aligning with a broader exhibition revamp. The changes follow scrutiny over past edits and ongoing White House efforts to influence how American history is presented in federal cultural institutions.
- ▪The Smithsonian restored references to Donald Trump's two impeachments in the exhibit label next to his portrait.
- ▪The updated wall text presents the impeachments as part of a list of major events from Trump's first term without explaining the charges.
- ▪The exhibition changes were led by National Portrait Gallery historian Dr. Mindy Farmer and approved through standard Smithsonian review processes.
- ▪Other presidents, including Bill Clinton and Thomas Jefferson, also have updated labels with revised language in the same exhibition.
- ▪The White House welcomed the restoration of the impeachment mention but criticized the exhibit for omitting other claimed accomplishments of Trump's presidency.
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Smithsonian adds back impeachment language to label on Trump portraitSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxIn the new wall, the impeachments are mentioned in a list of important events from US President Donald Trump's first term.PHOTOS: VALERIE PLESCH/NYTIMESZachary Small and Deborah Lynn BlumbergPublished May 16, 2026, 03:50 PMUpdated May 16, 2026, 03:50 PMWASHINGTON – The Smithsonian Institution is once again mentioning the impeachments of US President Donald Trump on wall text accompanying his image at the National Portrait Gallery.It had faced scrutiny months ago when text that described the President’s two impeachment trials was removed at a time when Mr Trump has been critical of the Smithsonian’s depiction of American history and sought to exert greater control…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Straits Times — World.