Trump Orders Smithsonian to Drop “Divisive” Content
The Smithsonian Institution, the largest museum complex in the world, is under White House review following President Donald Trump’s directive to reshape how American history and culture are presented to the public.
In a letter sent Tuesday to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III, three senior Trump aides said the review “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 was signed by Lindsey Halligan, senior associate staff secretary; Vince Haley, director of the Domestic Policy Council; and Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget.
Scope of the Review
The review will begin with eight Washington, D.C.-based 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. Additional museums will be included in a second phase.
According to the letter, the review will cover how exhibits are planned, what standards are used to shape narratives, and how materials are selected from the Smithsonian’s collections. The White House has requested detailed reports on current and upcoming exhibitions, exhibition budgets, traveling shows, internal guidelines, staff manuals, and communications about how artworks and artifacts are chosen.
Within 30 days, each museum is expected to provide this documentation, followed by on-site “observational visits” by administration officials. Interviews with curators and senior staff will be scheduled within 75 days, and within 120 days museums are expected to “begin implementing content corrections where necessary, replacing divisive or ideologically driven language with unifying, historically accurate, and constructive descriptions.”
Background on the Directive
Earlier this year, Trump signed an executive order accusing the Smithsonian of being influenced by a “divisive, race-centered ideology” that undermined American and Western values. The order placed Vice President JD Vance in charge of halting federal funding for “exhibits or programs that degrade shared American values, divide Americans based on race, or promote programs or ideologies inconsistent with Federal law and policy.”
The White House’s latest push reflects Trump’s broader campaign to exert influence over cultural and educational institutions, particularly around issues of how race and history are presented.
Smithsonian’s Response
The Smithsonian said it is reviewing the letter and intends to work “constructively” with the administration. In a statement, the institution emphasized its “deep commitment to scholarly excellence, rigorous research, and the accurate, factual presentation of history.” Officials added that the museums will continue to collaborate with the White House, Congress, and the Smithsonian’s Board of Regents.
The Smithsonian, which includes 21 museums and the National Zoo, attracted nearly 17 million visitors last year. It began an internal review of its content in June, stressing its commitment to remain nonpartisan.
Recent Controversies
The debate over Smithsonian content flared last month when the National Museum of American History removed a placard referencing Trump’s two impeachments from an exhibit on the presidency. After criticism, the placard was later reinstalled in a different location, with changes to its text. Smithsonian officials insisted no outside political pressure influenced the decision.
As the 250th anniversary of the United States approaches in 2026, the Smithsonian is expected to play a major role in shaping how Americans and international visitors experience the nation’s history. Trump’s directive ensures that the administration will have a direct hand in guiding how that story is told.