Museums to submit plans for Trump administration-themed exhibitions
In the heart of Washington D.C., a unique review is underway, involving some of the city's most esteemed institutions - the Smithsonian museums. The White House, under President Trump, has initiated a comprehensive internal review of exhibitions, materials, and operations at selected Smithsonian museums.
The purpose of this review is to ensure these museums align with President Trump's directive to promote American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and celebrate American unity and progress. The review includes examining public-facing content, curatorial processes, current and future exhibitions, and collection use.
Eight Smithsonian museums are currently under the spotlight, including the National Museum of American History and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The review is expected to be completed within 120 days, as of August 2025.
The Smithsonian Institution, a unique trust instrumentality, has responded with a commitment to scholarly excellence and collaboration with the White House. However, concerns have been raised regarding potential overreach. The Smithsonian's unique status may limit executive authority, and critics see the review as political overreach, potentially having a chilling effect on curatorial independence and scholarly rigor.
President Trump has claimed that there have been "concerted and widespread attempts in the past decade to rewrite the history of our country and replace facts with a distorted narrative driven more by ideology than truth." The Smithsonian Institution was named as an example in this decree. Trump decreed that museums should work on historical presentations in line with the government's views in the spring.
This is not the first time that Donald Trump has criticized museums. Critics accuse him of instigating a real culture war and thus also restricting artistic freedom or freedom of expression. The U.S. government is scrutinizing exhibitions in several renowned museums for unwanted portrayals of American history.
As the review continues, the future of these museums and their exhibitions remains uncertain. The Smithsonian's response, along with the outcome of this review, will undoubtedly shape the narrative of American history for generations to come.
[1] Smithsonian Review: White House Demands Prior Review of Exhibitions (August 2025) [2] Smithsonian Faces Internal Review under Trump Administration (August 2025) [3] The Chilling Effect of Political Interference on the Smithsonian (August 2025)
- Politics and policy-and-legislation have steered the White House to initiate an internal review of various Smithsonian museums' exhibitions, materials, and operations, aiming to adjust content that aligns with President Trump's directive for American exceptionalism.
- The unfolding general-news story of the Smithsonian Institution's review under the Trump Administration has sparked debates about potential overreach into the institution's curatorial independence, artistic freedom, and scholarly integrity.
