Smithsonian Institution under review by White House to guarantee congruence with Trump's ideology
The Smithsonian Institution has announced a comprehensive internal review of its museums and exhibitions, following a letter from the White House. The review aims to ensure that the Smithsonian's content aligns with a vision celebrating American exceptionalism, and to remove divisive or partisan narratives.
The initial focus of the review will be on eight museums: the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of the American Indian, the National Air and Space Museum, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.
The key elements of the review process include submission of detailed documentation from the museums, voluntary interviews with curators and senior staff, development and coordination of updated plans for the Smithsonian's commemoration of the 250th anniversary, and implementation of content corrections to remove divisive or ideologically driven language from exhibits and displays.
The review is part of an initiative to restore confidence in cultural institutions and is in line with the President's directive. The Smithsonian Institution has stated that it is currently reviewing the letter with this commitment in mind.
The review will assess tone, historical framing, and alignment with American ideals. It follows President Trump's public criticism that Smithsonian exhibits focus excessively on negative aspects of American history, such as slavery and civil rights struggles, without sufficient emphasis on America's successes and positive future. An executive order signed in March 2025 directed the review to remove "improper ideology" from Smithsonian content in preparation for the 250th anniversary.
The review is planned to be completed by early 2026, after which a final report will be prepared outlining museum-specific assessments, institutional trends, and recommendations for future exhibition strategy. Additional museums will be reviewed in subsequent phases.
In a statement, the Smithsonian Institution reaffirmed its commitment to scholarly excellence, rigorous research, and the accurate, factual presentation of history. The review process is expected to foster a revitalized curatorial approach focused on Americanism—the people, principles, and progress defining the nation—so the Smithsonian maintains its role as a vibrant, trusted, and inspiring institution for future generations.
The review comes after Trump's signing of an executive order titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History" in March, which criticized the Smithsonian for promoting narratives that portray American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive. The order also called for the review of federal agencies and departments to ensure that they are promoting "patriotic education" and advancing the principles of American exceptionalism.
- The review of the Smithsonian Institution's content, primarily focusing on its museums and exhibitions, encompasses topics such as war and conflicts, policy and legislation, politics, general news, and crime and justice, with the aim of aligning its narrative with American exceptionalism and removing divisive or partisan perspectives.
- In response to the President's initiative and the signing of the executive order titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History", the Smithsonian Institution is assessing various aspects of its exhibitions, including tone, historical framing, and alignment with American ideals, with a revitalized curatorial approach focused on Americanism, emphasizing the people, principles, and progress that define the nation.
