The White House isn’t just about policy and pomp anymore — it’s also about rewriting history. Hiding its scars behind a new “major events” timeline on the official website, the Trump administration appears to be controlling the narrative of its own legacy, and what a controversial narrative it is.
Since Donald Trump’s return to office, the White House has undergone some dramatic facelifts — and I don’t mean just physical renovations. Recent demolitions, like the tearing down of the East Wing to make way for a new ballroom, have sparked heated debate. Critics argue that these moves are more than just aesthetic; they seem to erase parts of history, raising questions about the administration’s attitude toward transparency and preservation.
In response, the White House has added a timeline under the “about the White House” section, aiming to highlight major events from its long history. Starting with George Washington’s selection of the current site in 1791, the timeline claims to cover “important” moments, culminating in the current East Wing renovations, which it calls an “upgrade.” But the timeline’s contents are far from comprehensive — and, frankly, quite selective.
For example, the timeline features Bill Clinton’s impeachment — noting it as a major event — even though it omits Trump’s two impeachments. Notably, the timeline claims to include “the Bill Clinton scandal,” yet strangely excludes Trump’s own impeachments, which were major headlines. It also mentions a fabricated “Muslim Brotherhood Visit,” visibly referencing a 2006 photo of Barack Obama in Somali dress during a visit to Kenya, far from the White House. This misrepresentation adds to the narrative confusion.
Moving forward, the timeline jumps from 2017 to 2020, skipping over Trump’s first term almost entirely. Instead, it highlights trivial events like the unveiling of a private tennis court at the White House and, bizarrely, the discovery of cocaine in the West Wing in 2023. The FBI investigation into the cocaine found no conclusive suspect, but Trump seized the opportunity to suggest Hunter Biden or Joe Biden’s involvement — allegations that Hunter vehemently denies, citing sobriety since 2019.
Further, it includes the observance of Trans Day of Visibility, marked in 2021, with a misspelling of “transsexuals,” an outdated term. The timeline’s approach to history has triggered widespread reactions: some Twitter users call it “partisan” and “disgraceful,” accusing the White House of rewriting facts to suit a narrative. Others are simply bewildered, questioning the integrity of presenting such a version of history on an official government site.
The timeline also glosses over key moments like Trump’s first impeachment at the end of 2019 — for abuse of power related to Ukraine — and his second impeachment in January 2021, for inciting the Capitol riot. Both were huge stories, yet omitted from the White House’s official chronology. Trump was acquitted in both trials, which adds another layer to the political fiction being spun.
This recent move underscores a broader trend: an administration seemingly intent on redefining its place in history, whether by demolishing old structures or rewriting the timeline. As critics argue, this raises serious questions about historical integrity, transparency, and the role of official information in shaping public memory.
What’s your take on this revisionist version of history buried deep within the White House’s website? Is it an innocent act of modernization, or a dangerous attempt to cloak uncomfortable truths?
