Museums to Submit Plans for Trump Administration Exhibits
The Trump administration is conducting audits and seeking revisions in museum portrayals of American history, with a focus on the Smithsonian Institution. This move comes ahead of the U.S.'s 250th anniversary next year.
The White House has directed the Smithsonian to review all public-facing content, including exhibition texts and educational materials, to assess if they align with American ideals and celebrate American exceptionalism while removing divisive or partisan narratives. The review is part of a broader executive order aimed at eliminating what the administration calls “divisive, race-centered ideology” from federally funded museums and cultural institutions.
The decree issued in spring 2020 states that exhibition texts, wall labels, websites, and educational materials are being examined for tone, historical context, and "alignment with American ideals." Museums under Trump's presidency, including the National Museum of American History, National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Museum of the American Indian, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Portrait Gallery, and Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, are among those affected by the investigation.
Some museum materials must be submitted within 30 days, while a 120-day period has been given for museums to begin implementing any content changes deemed necessary by the administration. The Smithsonian Institution, which operates several museums in Washington, has received a letter regarding these audits and has stated its commitment to scholarly excellence and factual accuracy while engaging constructively with the White House during this review process.
Critics, including historians, have highlighted concerns that such reviews risk ignoring critical aspects of American history, such as slavery and civil rights, which are central to understanding the nation's past. Some argue that this move restricts artistic freedom and freedom of expression, making it a contentious issue.
Trump claimed that the heritage of the nation has been portrayed in a biased manner and that the investigation aims to address this issue. The decree states that there have been "concerted and widespread attempts in the last decade to rewrite the history of our country and replace facts with a distorted narrative driven more by ideology than truth."
It's important to note that museums under Trump's predecessors did not experience such presidential interventions. However, this has changed with the power shift in Washington. The future implications of these audits and revisions remain to be seen.
[1] White House Directs Smithsonian to Review Museum Exhibitions: https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/white-house-directs-smithsonian-review-museum-exhibitions/ [2] Trump Administration Audits Museum Exhibitions for Bias: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/18/arts/design/trump-museums-audits.html [3] Smithsonian Responds to White House Request for Museum Reviews: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/smithsonian-responds-white-house-request-museum-reviews-180974369/
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