White House orders a review of exhibits at Smithsonian museums ahead of
nation's 250th birthday
[August 13, 2025]
By ANNIE MA
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is ordering a wide-ranging review of
the Smithsonian museums and exhibitions ahead of the country's 250th
birthday with a goal of aligning the institution's content with
President Donald Trump's interpretation of American history.
In a letter sent Tuesday to Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lonnie
Bunch III, the White House laid out in detail the steps it expects the
organization to take as part of the announced review. The examination
will look at all public-facing content, such as social media, exhibition
text and educational materials, to “assess tone, historical framing, and
alignment with American ideals,” according to the letter.
“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 said it remained committed 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, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, is the latest
attempt by the president to bring the country's cultural institutions in
line with his vision. In March, Trump signed an executive order titled
“Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” which accused the
Smithsonian of coming under the influence of a “divisive, race-centered
ideology” and called upon it to “remove improper ideology” from the
institution's museums.
In February, Trump removed the Kennedy Center's Board of Trustees,
replaced them with his supporters and named himself chairman. He vowed
to end events featuring performers in drag, indicating he would take on
a larger role in dictating the institution's programming schedule.
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People visit the Smithsonian Museum of American History on the
National Mall in Washington, April 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez
Monsivais, File)
 The review of the Smithsonian will
initially focus 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 said additional museums would be reviewed in subsequent
phases.
Civil rights leaders have criticized the administration's particular
focus on the National Museum of African American History and Culture
as efforts to minimize Black Americans' contributions to the country
and to recast the obstacles they faced throughout history.
The Smithsonian has repeatedly denied allegations that it has
changed or removed exhibit details in response to pressure from the
administration. Recently, the institution removed references to
Trump's two impeachments from an exhibit on the American presidency.
A spokesman for the museum said the references, which were added in
2021, were intended to be a temporary measure and said a future
exhibit would include details on all presidential impeachments.
The review ordered by the White House directs the museums to submit
materials from exhibits and drafts for upcoming events within 30
days. Within 120 days, the letter said, museums will be expected to
take corrective action, “replacing divisive or ideologically driven
language with unifying, historically accurate, and constructive
descriptions."
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