In preparation for the United States' 250th anniversary, the White House has announced a comprehensive internal review of selected Smithsonian museums and their exhibitions. This initiative aims to ensure that the displays accurately represent American history and align with President Donald Trump's vision of American exceptionalism. The review will focus on exhibit language, educational content, and digital materials, with changes required within 120 days.
The directive, detailed in a letter from top White House officials to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch, outlines steps for assessing exhibits, social media, and educational materials to ensure they reflect American exceptionalism and avoid "divisive or partisan narratives." The Smithsonian has affirmed its commitment to scholarly accuracy while promising cooperation.
This move follows President Trump's earlier executive order, "Restoring Truth And Sanity To American History," which criticized the Smithsonian for allegedly promoting "anti-American ideology." Critics warn that the review may politicize the institution, jeopardizing its independence and historical integrity.
The review will initially focus on eight major museums, including the National Museum of American History and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Additional museums will be addressed in a subsequent review phase. The Smithsonian, which is mostly funded by Congress but operates independently, indicated it would engage constructively with the review process.
As the nation approaches its 250th birthday, this initiative underscores the administration's efforts to reshape the narrative presented by the nation's premier cultural institutions. The outcome of this review may have lasting implications for how American history is portrayed to the public.
