The Trump administration is opening up the Pandora’s box of ideological review of exhibits at the seven major museums under the umbrella of the Smithsonian Institution. From the National Museum of American History to the National Museum of the American Latino. Former President Donald Trump first announced the news on Truth Social. He intends to address what he views as an anti-American slant in museums’ storytelling, placing emphasis on the importance of celebrating American greatness, not just oppression.
The National Museum of American History is currently receiving heavy criticism for its Benjamin Franklin exhibit. Critics say that it inappropriately links Franklin’s scientific contributions to his status as a slave owner. This display of the Star-Spangled Banner has come under fire. He and many others contend it tends to focus more on our nation’s past flops than on our successes.
The proposed National Museum of the American Latino is being closely watched for the way it’s shaping up to approach an exhibition of Latino history. For context, the scorecard evaluates the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of African Art, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The National Museum of Asian Art is being attacked. Critics accuse the museum’s exhibitions of forcing an imperialistic, Western gender ideology onto indigenous cultures.
White House budget director Russ Vought has sent letters to eight museums demanding information about their exhibits within a 30-day timeframe. These letters are essentially orders from the museum officials to make “content corrections,” including replacing what she calls “divisive” language. In halting the exhibits, the administration argues that these displays will be overly focused on the negative and fail to represent the greatness of American history and achievement.
“The Smithsonian is OUT OF CONTROL, where everything discussed is how horrible our Country is, how bad Slavery was, and how unaccomplished the downtrodden have been.” – Donald Trump
The Trump administration’s Department of Education has likened this review to other historical pressures on universities. In each of those instances, institutions took serious financial blows for their diversity efforts. It seems clear that Trump’s team is actively looking for ways to do this. Their aim is to purge some of what they’ve labeled the “Woke” scourge from our nation’s museum.
“President Trump will explore all options and avenues to get the Woke out of the Smithsonian and hold them accountable,” – A White House official
The ongoing scrutiny of these museums raises questions about the balance between historical accuracy and narrative framing in educational institutions. As the review unfolds, it will likely ignite debates over freedom of expression and the role of museums in shaping public understanding of history.