Smithsonian Erases Trump Impeachments from History Display, Sparks “Orwellian” Criticism

A quiet change at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History has ignited a firestorm, with critics accusing the institution of “Orwellian” revisionism after it removed all references to former President Donald Trump’s two impeachments from a key exhibit.

Earlier this summer, visitors noticed the impeachment section within “The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden” exhibit had been reverted to its pre-2008 state. Gone is any mention of Trump, the only U.S. president impeached twice by the House of Representatives. The display now simply states that “only three presidents have seriously faced removal,” referring solely to Andrew Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Bill Clinton. The previous iteration explicitly acknowledged Trump’s 2019 impeachment for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, and his 2021 impeachment for incitement of insurrection following the January 6th Capitol attack.

Exhibit Change Follows Alleged White House Pressure

According to sources familiar with the exhibit who spoke with the Washington Post (July 31, 2025), the Smithsonian made the alteration in July. This reportedly followed pressure from the current Trump White House, occurring amidst broader political tensions. These tensions included efforts earlier this year to remove National Portrait Gallery director Kim Sajet. A Smithsonian spokesperson framed the change as part of a routine “legacy content” review. They stated, “The section of this exhibition covers Congress, the Supreme Court, Impeachment, and Public Opinion. Because the other topics in this section had not been updated since 2008, the decision was made to restore the Impeachment case back to its 2008 appearance.”

Backlash and Accusations of Historical Erasure

The explanation did little to quell the immediate backlash. Critics swiftly denounced the move as a politically motivated erasure of significant historical events. While the museum’s online collection retains a single “Impeach Trump” protest button, its physical exhibit now lacks any acknowledgment of the impeachments themselves. The Smithsonian defended the decision by stating that updating major galleries requires significant time and funding, a justification many found hollow, especially as the same exhibit prominently features more recent items like Trump and Biden inauguration pins and a comprehensive display of past presidents.

The criticism crystallized online. Former Trump administration official Sarah Matthews captured the prevailing sentiment in a viral tweet: “When a history museum rewrites history to appease the president, it stops being a museum and starts being state propaganda. Straight-up Orwellian.” Others echoed concerns that the change reflects a broader trend of the current administration exerting influence over cultural and historical institutions, pointing to efforts to reshape or cut funding for entities like the National Endowment for the Arts.

Broader Concerns About Institutional Independence

This incident has amplified anxieties among historians and preservationists about the vulnerability of non-partisan historical record-keeping to political pressure. The removal of references to such recent, well-documented, and constitutionally significant events strikes many as an attempt to downplay or obscure a contentious chapter in American political history directly involving the current occupant of the Oval Office. The timing, coinciding with known friction between the White House and Smithsonian leadership, has fueled skepticism about the stated rationale being merely coincidental or procedural.

The decision by the Smithsonian National Museum of American History to erase the record of Donald Trump’s impeachments from its public display represents more than a simple exhibit update; it strikes at the core of historical integrity and institutional independence. Facing accusations of bowing to political pressure and engaging in Orwellian revisionism, the museum now confronts a profound challenge to its credibility as a guardian of the nation’s complex story. This episode serves as a stark reminder of the vital importance of preserving uncomfortable truths within our shared historical narrative, regardless of contemporary political winds. Demand transparency from cultural institutions about historical revisions.

Must Know

1. What exactly did the Smithsonian change in the impeachment exhibit?
   The Smithsonian reverted the impeachment section of its “American Presidency” exhibit to its pre-2008 version. This removed any mention or acknowledgment of Donald Trump’s two impeachments (2019 and 2021), now stating only three presidents (Johnson, Nixon, Clinton) seriously faced removal.
2. Why did the Smithsonian make this change regarding the Trump impeachments?
   The Smithsonian stated it was part of a “legacy content” review, arguing that because other topics in the same exhibit section hadn’t been updated since 2008, the impeachment section was also reverted for consistency. Critics allege it followed pressure from the current Trump White House.
3. What evidence is there of political pressure over the exhibit?
   Sources familiar with the exhibit told the Washington Post (July 31, 2025) that the change was made in July after pressure from the Trump White House. This occurred amid broader tensions, including previous efforts to oust the National Portrait Gallery director.
4. What items related to Trump’s impeachments were removed?
   The physical exhibit no longer contains any panels or text referencing Trump’s impeachments. While the museum’s online collection includes an “Impeach Trump” protest button, the significant constitutional events of the impeachments themselves are omitted from the display narrative.
5. Why are critics calling this “Orwellian”?
   Critics argue that a national history museum erasing well-documented, significant historical events, allegedly to appease a sitting president involved in those events, constitutes a dangerous rewriting of history akin to the propaganda depicted in George Orwell’s novel 1984. They see it as prioritizing political expediency over factual historical record.
6. Has the Smithsonian faced similar controversies before?
   While museums frequently update exhibits, the specific erasure of such recent, major events involving the current president is unprecedented at this scale for the Smithsonian. The incident has intensified existing concerns about the administration’s influence on cultural institutions, including funding debates and leadership appointments.