05. White House Interferes with Smithsonian Exhibits: “Conformity to American Ideals” Review Launched
Photo: Kevin Carter/Getty Images.
The Trump administration announced that the Smithsonian Institution, one of the country’s most established cultural institutions, will conduct a comprehensive review of its current and planned exhibitions.
This step, announced on August 12, states that the exhibitions will be evaluated for their “conformity with American ideals, historical context, and style.” A letter sent by the White House to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III emphasized that this review aims to “celebrate American exceptionalism, dismantle divisive rhetoric, and restore public trust.”
The eight museums under scrutiny in the first phase include prestigious institutions such as the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Hirshhorn Museum. The museums hosting the criticized exhibitions have been given a 120-day period to revise their content to “unifying and historically accurate” language.
The Smithsonian Institution, which is partially funded by the federal budget but administratively independent, views this intervention as a threat to its institutional autonomy. The Smithsonian’s official statement stated that the institution operates with “a deep commitment to academic excellence, rigorous research, and historical accuracy.”
Experts interpret this move as an attempt at political pressure. Smithsonian historian Samuel J. Redman told the New York Times, “This is a direct attack on the institution’s autonomy.”
The Smithsonian’s plans for the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026 are also under review, and the institution has stated that it is prepared to conduct the process in cooperation with the White House and Congress. However, public concerns about the politicization of museums’ historical narratives are growing.
05. White House Interferes with Smithsonian Exhibits: “Conformity to American Ideals” Review Launched
Photo: Kevin Carter/Getty Images.
The Trump administration announced that the Smithsonian Institution, one of the country’s most established cultural institutions, will conduct a comprehensive review of its current and planned exhibitions. This step, announced on August 12, states that the exhibitions will be evaluated for their “conformity with American ideals, historical context, and style.” A letter sent by the White House to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III emphasized that this review aims to “celebrate American exceptionalism, dismantle divisive rhetoric, and restore public trust.”
The eight museums under scrutiny in the first phase include prestigious institutions such as the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Hirshhorn Museum. The museums hosting the criticized exhibitions have been given a 120-day period to revise their content to “unifying and historically accurate” language.
The Smithsonian Institution, which is partially funded by the federal budget but administratively independent, views this intervention as a threat to its institutional autonomy. The Smithsonian’s official statement stated that the institution operates with “a deep commitment to academic excellence, rigorous research, and historical accuracy.”
Experts interpret this move as an attempt at political pressure. Smithsonian historian Samuel J. Redman told the New York Times, “This is a direct attack on the institution’s autonomy.”
The Smithsonian’s plans for the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026 are also under review, and the institution has stated that it is prepared to conduct the process in cooperation with the White House and Congress. However, public concerns about the politicization of museums’ historical narratives are growing.