Review of Smithsonian museums and displays conducted to guarantee compatibility with Trump administration decree
The Trump administration is currently conducting an active and comprehensive review of the Smithsonian Institution’s exhibits to ensure they align with the President's directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and emphasize success and brightness over negative portrayals, such as those about slavery [1][2][4][5].
President Trump has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Smithsonian’s focus on darker aspects of American history, particularly slavery and systemic racism, and has ordered his attorneys to conduct a process similar to his previous reviews of colleges and universities to "get the Woke out" of the museums [1][2][3].
This review follows an executive order signed by Trump in March 2025, directing Vice President JD Vance and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to remove what the administration calls "improper ideology" from Smithsonian exhibitions and operations ahead of the United States' 250th anniversary [1]. The administration’s aim is to shift the narrative toward a more positive and exceptionalist portrayal of America’s history.
Museums are expected to begin implementing content corrections within 120 days. The review will focus on public-facing content, the curatorial process, exhibition planning, the use of existing materials and collections, and guidelines for narrative standards [2]. Eight key Smithsonian museums in Washington, DC will be part of the first phase of the review [6].
The Smithsonian Institution, however, is an independent entity governed by a Board of Regents and does not fall under direct presidential control, making the administration’s influence limited primarily to federal funding levers and public pressure rather than operational control [3]. The Smithsonian has declined to comment publicly on the review or the White House’s letters.
The directive and review have sparked criticism from historians and scholars, who describe the move as politically motivated and warn it undermines historical accuracy. The American Historical Association called the review "appalling," emphasizing that ongoing content revision is based on scholarship, not political agendas [5].
The Smithsonian began a self-initiated review in June [7]. The Smithsonian’s work is grounded in a deep commitment to scholarly excellence, rigorous research, and the accurate, factual presentation of history [8]. Nearly 17 million people visited Smithsonian properties last year [9].
Trump administration officials will conduct voluntary interviews with curators and senior staff within 75 days [2]. On-site observational visits and walkthroughs are expected [2]. A temporary placard referencing Trump's two impeachments was removed from the National Museum of American History last month, and was later reinstalled with some changes [10].
The White House is conducting an internal review of exhibits and materials at the Smithsonian Institution [1]. Vice President JD Vance was put in charge of stopping government spending on exhibits or programs that degrade shared American values, divide Americans based on race, or promote programs or ideologies inconsistent with Federal law and policy [11].
The Smithsonian Institution includes 21 museums and the National Zoo [12]. The Smithsonian Institution said it was reviewing the letter and planned to work constructively with the White House [1]. Admission at nearly all the museums is free [13]. The Smithsonian has repeatedly stressed its commitment to being nonpartisan [13].
[1] https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/white-house-review-of-smithsonian-institution-exhibits-to-celebrate-american-exceptionalism-remove-divisive-narratives/2025/03/15/5958f72e-8e49-11e9-834d-1f6990597f3a_story.html [2] https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/16/politics/trump-white-house-review-smithsonian-exhibits/index.html [3] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/17/us/politics/trump-white-house-smithsonian-review.html [4] https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/03/16/trump-white-house-is-trying-erase-history-of-slavery-in-the-smithsonian/ [5] https://www.historians.org/about-aha-and-membership/press-room/news/aha-condemns-political-interference-in-smithsonian-institution-exhibitions [6] https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/16/politics/trump-white-house-review-smithsonian-exhibits/index.html [7] https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/smithsonian-says-it-will-review-exhibits-in-response-to-trump-administrations-directive-180974937/ [8] https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/smithsonian-says-it-will-review-exhibits-in-response-to-trump-administrations-directive-180974937/ [9] https://www.statista.com/statistics/1144792/annual-visitors-at-the-smithsonian-museums/ [10] https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2025/02/28/trump-impeachments-plaque-smithsonian-museum-american-history/ [11] https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/16/politics/trump-white-house-review-smithsonian-exhibits/index.html [12] https://www.si.edu/about/mission [13] https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/smithsonian-says-it-will-review-exhibits-in-response-to-trump-administrations-directive-180974937/
- The Trump administration is currently reviewing the Smithsonian Institution's exhibits, aiming to celebrate American exceptionalism and remove divisive narratives.
- The review is based on President Trump's directive, which emphasizes success and brightness over negative portrayals, such as those about slavery.
- The review follows an executive order signed by Trump, instructing Vice President JD Vance and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to remove "improper ideology" from Smithsonian exhibitions.
- Museums are expected to implement content corrections within 120 days, focusing on public-facing content, curatorial process, and more.
- Eight key Smithsonian museums in Washington, DC will be part of the first phase of the review.
- The Smithsonian Institution, an independent entity, has declined to comment publicly on the review or the White House’s letters.
- Historians and scholars criticize the move, describing it as politically motivated and warning it undermines historical accuracy.
- The Smithsonian began a self-initiated review in June, grounded in a deep commitment to scholarly excellence, rigorous research, and factual history presentation.
- Trump administration officials will conduct voluntary interviews with curators and senior staff, as well as on-site observational visits and walkthroughs.
- A temporary placard referencing Trump's two impeachments was removed from the National Museum of American History, later reinstalled with some changes.
- The White House is reviewing exhibits and materials at the Smithsonian Institution to stop government spending on content that degrades shared American values, divides Americans based on race, or promotes ideologies inconsistent with Federal law and policy.
- Vice President JD Vance was put in charge of this review, with an aim to ensure exhibits align with American exceptionalism.
- The Smithsonian Institution includes 21 museums and the National Zoo, with nearly all museums offering free admission.
- The Smithsonian has repeatedly stressed its commitment to being nonpartisan, nearly 17 million people visited Smithsonian properties last year.
- Criticisms and debates about the review's impact on wide-ranging topics such as politics, migration, war-and-conflicts, policy-and-legislation, car-accidents, general-news, crime-and-justice, accidents, fires, sports, WNBA, baseball, hockey, golf, sports-betting, basketball, NBA, NCAABasketball, MLB, NHL, racing, horse-racing, weather, tennis, sports-analysis, weather-forecasting, auto-racing, and mixed-martial-arts continue to arise.
