Trump orders review of Smithsonian to purge divisive narratives

In March 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order mandating a comprehensive review of Smithsonian museums in the United States, aiming to align their content with his administration's vision of celebrating American exceptionalism. This directive was sparked by Trump's perception that the Smithsonian's narrative predominantly highlighted negative aspects of U.S. history, including slavery, rather than focusing on the nation's successes or positive achievements. The executive order tasked Vice President JD Vance with overseeing the implementation of these changes and instructed White House attorneys to assist in identifying what Trump deemed 'woke' material. The review initiative gained momentum following public statements from Trump, expressing dissatisfaction with the Smithsonian's portrayal of America's history. Trump stated that current exhibits mainly present how 'horrible our country is' and emphasized a need to remove narratives he views as divisive. This campaign included a range of cultural institutions and particularly targeted public museums, which he accused of promoting ideology at odds with national unity and pride. As part of the review, the White House officials sent a letter to Lonnie Bunch III, the secretary of the Smithsonian, demanding a reassessment of the institutions’ public-facing narratives, curatorial processes, and future exhibition planning. The Smithsonian, which encompasses 21 museums and the National Zoo, was particularly critiqued for its focus on race and historical injustices, which Trump characterized as 'out of control.' This effort comes in anticipation of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, motivating the administration to reshape the narrative surrounding American history. The Smithsonian has maintained its commitment to presenting an unbiased perspective on history and refuted claims of any political bias in its exhibitions. However, the Trump administration's push to realign Smithsonian content with a more favorable depiction of American history has sparked significant debate and concern regarding potential censorship and the implications for educational integrity in museums. Critics argue that the administration's attempts to revise historical narratives undermine the mission of these institutions to foster inclusive and comprehensive understandings of America's past.