Trump's Smithsonian criticism contrasts with 2017 praise
Following that visit to the newly opened museum, Trump was full of praise.
'It's a new, beautiful Smithsonian Museum that serves as a shining example of African Americans' incredible contributions to our culture, our society, and our history,' Trump said months into his first term.
'It also tells of the great struggle for freedom and equality that prevailed against the sins of slavery, and the injustice of discrimination. The work and love of the people who helped create such a masterpiece is a testament to the legacy of so many leaders,' he added.
The president added in the February 2017 remarks that 'nothing' was more importnat than his promise to continue 'freedom for African Americans and for every American.'
'This tour was a meaningful reminder of why we have to fight bigotry, intolerance and hatred in all of its very ugly forms,' he added.
Those comments returned to the spotlight on Tuesday after Trump announced a review of the Smithsonian's museums for what he called a 'woke' lens on American history.
'The Smithsonian is OUT OF CONTROL, where everything discussed is how horrible our Country is, how bad Slavery was, and how unaccomplished the downtrodden have been — Nothing about Success, nothing about Brightness, nothing about the Future,' the president wrote in a Tuesday Truth Social post.
'We are not going to allow this to happen, and I have instructed my attorneys to go through the Museums, and start the exact same process that has been done with Colleges and Universities where tremendous progress has been made,' Trump wrote. 'This Country cannot be WOKE, because WOKE IS BROKE.'
Trump has declared museum exhibitions must be brought into 'alignment' with his objective to 'celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions.'
The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History removed an exhibit earlier this month referencing Trump's two impeachments, drawing fire from Democrats.
Trump also forced out National Portrait Gallery Director Kim Sajet, the first woman to helm the institution.
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) slammed Trump's latest comments during a Tuesday appearanc e on CNN.
'Is he a publicist for slavery, like a lobbyist on behalf of slavery?' he asked. 'It doesn't make any sense that he would want to erase one of the ugliest things that's ever happened in America and educate our children, especially about how we make sure it doesn't happen again.'
David Axelrod, a former top Obama advisor, remarked on the notable contrast between first-term and second-term Trump.
'I find myself weirdly nostalgic for the @POTUS Trump who once recognized 'the great struggle for freedom and equality that prevailed against the sins of slavery,' and the value and importance of enshrining that history at the Smithsonian,' Axelrod wrote on X. 'Now he wants to expunge it.'
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The PREP grant has been under scrutiny by the Trump administration since at least March, when the Administration for Children and Families requested program leaders send copies of its curriculum and other relevant course materials to them for review. The probe was initially launched to ensure the state's sexual education programming is medically accurate and age-appropriate. 4 The Administration for Children and Families, an office under HHS' umbrella that funds state, local and tribal organizations to provide support for families such as child care, announced Thursday morning that it was terminating the funding to California's Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) grant. AFP via Getty Images Previous grant funding shows California's PREP program received just under $6 million from the federal government in fiscal year 2022. All in, California could lose $12.3 million in funding that it has not yet received, covering multiple years, according to HHS. 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'The listed reasons were: 1) PREP materials had already been reviewed and approved by ACF; 2) the materials are medically accurate; 3) the gender ideology content is relevant to purposes identified in the authorizing statute, specifically the adult preparation subjects listed at 42 U.S.C. § 713(b)(2)(C); and 4) ACF does not have authority to take an enforcement action.' Among the materials Administration for Children and Families found amid its review of the curriculum was a lesson for middle school-aged students that sought to introduce them to the concepts of transgenderism, Fox News Digital previously reported. 'We've been talking during class about messages people get on how they should act as boys and girls—but as many of you know, there are also people who don't identify as boys or girls, but rather as transgender or gender queer,' the lesson states to students. 'This means that even if they were called a boy or a girl at birth and may have body parts that are typically associated with being a boy or a girl, on the inside, they feel differently.' Other flagged lessons in the materials included curriculum for high school-aged students with instructions on what it means to be 'nonbinary' and language that informed students 'gender-identity' is 'essentially a social status.' 4 California could lose $12.3 million in funding that it has not yet received, covering multiple years, according to HHS. Christopher Sadowski 'In a disturbing and egregious abuse of federal funds, California has been using taxpayer money to teach curricula that could encourage kids to contemplate mutilating their genitals, 'altering their body… through hormone therapy,' 'adding or removing breast tissue,' and 'changing their name.' It instructed teachers to 'remind students that some men are born with female anatomy,'' HHS said in a Thursday press release of the teachings. 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'It shall be the final decision of the Department unless, within 30 days after receiving this decision, you submit a notice of appeal to the Departmental Appeals Board (DAB).'
