Trump unveils dramatic new black-and-white portrait hung in Smithsonian to 'cover up' 31-word message that 'annoyed him'
The old wall text outlined some of Trump's major political accomplishments, but the White House was unhappy with the less flattering descriptions of the president's first term.
The Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery has changed the picture of Donald Trump it has on display, as well as its accompanying text.
The change took place in the museum's 'America's Presidents' exhibition on Thursday following a complaint from a Trump administration official, according to reports.
The gallery previously displayed a picture of Donald Trump wearing a suit and red tie set against a black background next to wall text describing his tenure as president.
The wall text outlined some of Trump's major political accomplishments, such as appointing three Supreme Court justices and his 'historic comeback in the 2024 election.'
But the White House was reportedly unhappy with the less flattering descriptions of the president's first term, particularly its mention that Trump was, 'Impeached twice, on charges of abuse of power and incitement of insurrection after supporters attacked the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, he was acquitted by the Senate in both trials.'
The new black-and-white image on display shows Trump in the Oval Office scowling directly into the camera as he leans over the Resolute Desk with his fists planted firmly on it.
The picture was taken by White House photographer Daniel Torok, and Trump posted it on Truth Social in October along with a caption that read: 'In the Oval Office, getting ready to leave our imprint on the World. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!'
The new wall text accompanying the dramatic photo now simply identifies Trump as the 45th and 47th president and says he was born in 1946.
The Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery has changed the picture of Donald Trump it has on display to this dramatic black-and-white photo
The different picture also came with simplified wall text that omitted mention of Trump's impeachments, simply saying he is the 45th and 47th president and was born in 1946 instead
This is the picture of Trump that was formerly on display at the museum. The wall text described some of his major political accomplishments as well as his two impeachments
In a statement on Saturday, Whitehouse spokesman Davis Ingle said the new portrait is an 'iconic photo' that has 'unmatched aura.'
The National Portrait Gallery said that it hung the new photo as part of a planned update to the America's Presidents exhibition.
'For some new exhibitions and displays, the museum has been exploring quotes or tombstone labels, which provide only general information, such as the artist's name,' a statement from the Smithsonian said.