Escalated Assaults by President Trump on the Smithsonian Museums Intensify
The Smithsonian Institution, a unique trust instrumentality supported by federal funds, is facing a new review of eight of its museums. The review aims to ensure alignment with President Donald Trump's vision of American exceptionalism, as announced by the White House.
At the helm of the Smithsonian is a 17-member Board of Regents, with Chief Justice John Roberts as the leader. The review will require the museums to submit various materials, including catalogues, ongoing exhibition programs, digital files of posters and labels, and proposals for exhibitions planned in the next three years within 30 days. Government teams will also conduct observational visits to inspect current exhibitions.
Within 75 days, the museums must provide an inventory of their permanent collections, a list of external partnerships, and visitor survey results. Exhibition texts, wall labels, websites, and educational materials will also be reviewed for tone, historical framing, and alignment with "American ideals" to avoid "divisive or partisan" narratives.
The review comes in the context of Trump's administration's history of pulling funding from various institutions. Trump has criticised the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, attacking its handling of American slavery. His comments have been met with criticism from experts, with presidential historian Douglas Brinkley calling it "the epitome of dumbness."
Emily Burack, the Senior News Editor for Town & Country, has been covering the developments closely. Burack, who previously worked as the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma, a Jewish culture site, has been providing insights on entertainment, celebrities, and a wide range of other topics. You can find Burack on Twitter and Instagram under the handle @emburack.
The review of the Smithsonian museums is part of a larger effort to address perceived biases in cultural institutions. Trump has instructed his attorneys to review the museums, similar to his administration's actions regarding Ivy League institutions.
Trump's comments on the Smithsonian's handling of American slavery are not new. In a post on Truth Social, he described the Smithsonian as "OUT OF CONTROL" and accused it of focusing too much on the negative aspects of American history.
Despite the review, it's important to note that the Smithsonian's exploration of slavery is crucial, as it led to the Civil War and is a defining aspect of national history. The Smithsonian deals with slavery in a robust manner, but also covers human rights and civil rights in equal abundance.
The review is intended to restore confidence in the Smithsonian museums and remove any divisive or partisan narratives. As the review progresses, it will be interesting to see how the museums adapt to the new guidelines and maintain their commitment to telling the full and complex story of American history.
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