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In a striking development that highlights the ongoing political tensions surrounding former President Donald Trump’s legacy, recent changes to the Smithsonian’s presidential impeachment exhibit have sparked controversy about how American history is presented to the public.

For several months, Trump, who stands as the only U.S. president to be impeached twice, has been engaged in what appears to be a concerted effort to reshape the historical narrative of his presidency. This became evident when the Smithsonian Institution temporarily removed Trump from its impeachment exhibit following direct pressure from the White House.

The museum’s decision came in the wake of an art director’s dismissal and resulted in the exhibit focusing solely on three presidents: Richard Nixon, Andrew Johnson, and Bill Clinton. The revised display effectively reverted to its 2008 version, with updated signage claiming that “only three presidents have seriously faced removal” throughout American history—a notable omission of Trump’s two impeachments in 2019 and 2021.

The White House-initiated content review that led to these changes raises questions about political influence over historical institutions. The Smithsonian, which receives federal funding but traditionally operates with scholarly independence, found itself at the center of a debate about historical accuracy versus political sensitivity.

Trump’s impeachments represent significant moments in modern American political history. The first occurred in December 2019 on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress related to his alleged pressuring of Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden. The second impeachment came in January 2021 following the Capitol riot, with the House charging him with “incitement of insurrection.”

In contrast to Trump’s situation, Nixon was never formally impeached, though he resigned in 1974 when impeachment appeared certain. This distinction makes the Smithsonian’s original revision particularly noteworthy from a historical perspective.

Following public scrutiny, the Smithsonian has since reinstated Trump to the impeachment exhibit, though with modifications to how the proceedings against him are described. Most significantly, the descriptions of his actions during the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack have been altered, though the specific nature of these changes has itself become a point of contention.

The episode echoes broader struggles in American culture over how to document, interpret, and present contentious recent history. Museums and historical institutions increasingly find themselves navigating political pressures while attempting to maintain scholarly integrity.

Historians have noted the parallel with Nixon, whose resignation in the face of the Watergate scandal effectively ended his political career. Trump, by contrast, has maintained an active political presence despite his impeachments and is currently seeking another term in office.

The changes at the Smithsonian represent just one facet of an ongoing effort to shape Trump’s historical legacy. Unlike most former presidents who typically focus on establishing presidential libraries and charitable foundations after leaving office, Trump has remained deeply engaged in politics and has consistently challenged narratives about his presidency.

For the Smithsonian, the episode presents significant questions about institutional independence. Founded in 1846 “for the increase and diffusion of knowledge,” the institution has long presented itself as an apolitical repository of American history and culture.

The museum’s reversal on the Trump exhibit suggests an ongoing negotiation between political pressures and historical accuracy. As American politics remains deeply polarized, cultural institutions face increasing challenges in presenting recent history in ways that are both truthful and acceptable across the political spectrum.

Visitors to the “American Presidency” wing now encounter a revised exhibit that acknowledges all presidential impeachments, though the controversy surrounding the display serves as its own testament to the divisive nature of recent American political history.