Trump orders Smithsonian museums to align content with 'American exceptionalism' agenda

The White House has ordered a comprehensive review of Smithsonian museums and exhibitions in preparation for the nation's 250th anniversary, aiming to ensure the institution's content reflects President Donald Trump's vision of American history.

In correspondence dispatched on Tuesday to Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lonnie Bunch III, the White House outlined detailed expectations for the organisation as part of this announced examination.

The review will scrutinise all public-facing materials, including social media platforms, exhibition descriptions and educational resources, to "assess tone, historical framing, and alignment with American ideals," the correspondence stated.

"This initiative aims to ensure alignment with the President's directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions," the letter said.

The Smithsonian responded by affirming its dedication to "scholarly excellence, rigorous research, and the accurate, factual presentation of history.

"We are reviewing the letter with this commitment in mind and will continue to collaborate constructively with the White House, Congress, and our governing Board of Regents," it said in a statement. The review, initially reported by The Wall Street Journal, marks the latest effort by the president to align the nation's cultural institutions with his vision.

In March, Trump signed an executive order titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," accusing the Smithsonian of succumbing to a "divisive, race-centred ideology" and urging it to "remove improper ideology" from its museums.

In February,Trump ousted the Kennedy Center's Board of Trustees, replaced them with his supporters and named himself chairman. He pledged to terminate events featuring drag performers, suggesting he would assume a greater role in determining the institution's programming schedule.

The Smithsonian review will initially concentrate on eight museums - the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of the American Indian, the National Air and Space Museum, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Portrait Gallery and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.

The letter indicated that additional museums would be reviewed in subsequent phases.

Civil rights leaders have condemned the administration's particular focus on the National Museum of African American History and Culture as attempts to downplay Black Americans' contributions to the country and to reinterpret the challenges they faced throughout history.

The Smithsonian has consistently rejected claims that it has altered or eliminated exhibit content due to governmental pressure.

Most recently, the institution eliminated mentions of Trump's dual impeachments from a display focusing on the American presidency.

A museum representative stated the references, which were incorporated in 2021, were meant as a provisional addition and confirmed that a forthcoming exhibition would feature information on all presidential impeachments.

The White House-mandated assessment requires museums to provide exhibit materials and preliminary drafts for future events within 30 days.

Within 120 days, the correspondence stated, museums must implement remedial measures, "replacing divisive or ideologically driven language with unifying, historically accurate, and constructive descriptions."