A recent proposal from the White House aims to broaden the representation of former President Donald Trump at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery.
During a tour in December, State Department protocol chief Abby Jones put forth the concept of a dedicated gallery housing numerous images of Trump, supplementing his official portrait. Subsequently, administration officials indicated that the White House frequently receives artistic tributes to the President from his supporters, suggesting these could be featured in the museum. The idea has not yet been formally submitted, leaving its serious consideration by the Smithsonian uncertain. The National Portrait Gallery traditionally includes various depictions of past presidents, but typically unveils commissioned portraits only after a president has left office. This discussion comes on the heels of the museum's decision last month to swap Trump's original official photograph for a more favorable one and to remove text referencing his impeachments, changes the museum attributed to a "broader update" of its exhibition.
Tensions between the White House and the Smithsonian have been evident since Trump's second term began, with the former president vocalizing concerns about perceived ideological bias in museum presentations and seeking detailed information on the institution's content and finances. Smithsonian officials maintain their autonomy from the executive branch. Currently, visitors to the National Portrait Gallery can view Trump's official image, a black-and-white photograph by Daniel Torok, depicting him at the Resolute Desk. The future expansion of this display remains to be seen, though the museum has previously yielded to White House pressure, notably last year when its director, Kim Sajet, resigned after the President publicly claimed to have dismissed her over various issues, including the wall texts detailing Trump's impeachments.
This situation underscores the ongoing dialogue between political influence and institutional independence, particularly within cultural bodies tasked with preserving national history. The balance between public representation and artistic integrity is a delicate one, demanding thoughtful consideration to uphold both the legacy of leadership and the foundational principles of cultural institutions.