Trump Announces Review of Smithsonian Museums, Aims to Remove ‘Divisive’ Exhibits Highlighting Negative Aspects of American History
In a fresh escalation of his critique, President Donald Trump took aim at museums and exhibits branded as “woke” on Tuesday, claiming that these institutions are overly focused on portraying the negative aspects of American history, specifically emphasizing the harsh reality of slavery.
Taking to Truth Social, Trump asserted, “The Smithsonian has lost its bearings, with discussions revolving around the alleged flaws of our country, the horrors of slavery, and the supposed lack of achievements among downtrodden communities — neglecting successes, brightness, and the future.”
He further stated, “We will not stand by and watch this continue. I have directed my legal team to scrutinize these museums, initiating a process similar to that undertaken at colleges and universities where significant progress has been achieved.”
Trump’s remarks come on the heels of an unprecedented review announced by the White House of the Smithsonian Institution, which manages the nation’s major public museums. The initiative, outlined in a letter sent last week to Smithsonian Institution secretary Lonnie Bunch III, aims “to ensure alignment with the President’s directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, eliminate divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions.”
The review will focus on public-facing content, the curatorial process for selecting exhibits, exhibition planning for current and future displays, the utilization of existing materials and collections, and guidelines for narrative standards.
The Smithsonian declined to comment on Trump’s latest statements. Efforts have been made to obtain additional clarification from the White House regarding the legal process described by Trump and his comments about slavery.
Earlier this year, Trump issued an executive order that placed Vice President JD Vance, who serves on the Smithsonian’s Board of Regents, in charge of halting government spending on exhibits that do not align with the administration’s agenda. Additionally, a former member of his legal team, attorney Lindsey Halligan, was tasked with identifying “improper ideology” at the Smithsonian.
“Museums in our nation’s capital should serve as educational spaces where individuals can learn, not encounter divisive narratives,” the executive order stated.