The White House’s new “major events” timeline, now featured under the “about the White House” section on its official website, is causing quite a stir online. It attempts to condense over two centuries of history into a curated, politically motivated narrative, sparking widespread criticism and disbelief.
Starting with President George Washington’s selection of the White House site in 1791, the timeline claims the current structure is an “upgrade” to the original building—overlooking key renovations and historical changes over the centuries. Interestingly, it skips many critical moments, such as the first impeachment of Donald Trump in 2019, and its second impeachment in 2021, both significant events in recent history.
The timeline notably includes the 2006 photo of Barack Obama in Somali traditional dress, misconstrued as a “Muslim Brotherhood visit” — a false and misleading characterization, as the image is from a 2006 trip to Kenya when he was a senator. It even mentions the “Bill Clinton Scandal,” referencing his impeachment, yet omits Trump’s two impeachments entirely, despite them being arguably among the most defining recent events.
Further inaccuracies include referencing the White House’s unveiling of a private tennis pavilion during Trump’s administration (a standard renovation project) and claiming cocaine was found in the West Wing in 2023. The FBI investigation into the Cocaine found no conclusive evidence of who it belonged to, with Trump himself fueling conspiracy theories about Hunter Biden and Joe Biden—claims vehemently denied by Hunter, who has spoken openly about his past struggles with addiction.
Polarizing elements continue as the timeline covers the Trans Day of Visibility, founded in 2010, while also mistakenly referring to outdated terminology like “transsexuals”—a term largely replaced by “transgender” in current discourse. The timeline was widely mocked for its selective and often misleading portrayal of recent history, with critics condemning it as a blatant politicization.
Social media reactions echo outrage and disbelief. One tweet summed up the sentiment: “The Trump White House is unhinged. Cannot believe this is real life on the official site.” Another called it “absolutely disgraceful,” highlighting the 200-year history condensed into a few slides with an overtly partisan slant, mostly focusing on recent controversies while omitting key events like the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.
This controversial timeline is part of the broader narrative battle over history and perception, with critics arguing it’s an attempt at rewriting or sanitizing the facts to fit a particular political agenda. Whether viewed as a misguided attempt at modernization or an outright distortion, its reception underscores the polarized and contentious nature of contemporary U.S. politics.
**What do you think about the White House’s new timeline? Does it serve its purpose, or is it another chapter in historical revisionism?**
