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Forbes
5 days ago
- Politics
- Forbes
Scholars Push Back Against Trump' administration's Smithsonian Review
Historians and other scholars are pushing back against the Trump administration's plan to conduct a "comprehensive internal review" of several Smithsonian museums with the apparent aim of making sure the institution's exhibits and collections align with cultural interpretations and historical views favored by President Trump. The review, which comes ahead of next year's 250th anniversary celebration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, sparked almost immediate criticism from academic organizations and individual scholars who see its focus on promoting 'Americanism' as a threat to both the independence of the institution and the accuracy of its content. In a letter to Smithsonian secretary Lonnie Bunch, White House officials Lindsey Halligan, Vince Haley and Russell Vought wrote that 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 Smithsonian review is to occur in phases, with the first one covering 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 lays out a timeline for the initial review process to be completed, with specific 30, 75 and 120 day goals. "Within 120 days, museums should begin implementing content corrections where necessary, replacing divisive or ideologically driven language with unifying, historically accurate, and constructive descriptions across placards, wall didactics, digital displays, and other public-facing materials," the letter states. The review, which is to be conducted by indiviudals not yet identified, is scheduled to be completed in early 2026. The letter states, 'our goal is not to interfere with the day-to-day operations of curators or staff, but rather to support a broader vision of excellence that highlights historically accurate, uplifting and inclusive portrayals of America's heritage.' But many scholars aren't buying that attempt at reassurance. Instead, they've sounded the alarm that the administration's plan "to assess tone, historical framing and alignment with American ideals' of Smithsonian exhibits and curatorial guidelines represented blatant political interference and am atte,pt to revise history. Here's a sampling of the reactions. In an "advocacy update," Joy Connolly, president of the American Council of Learned Societies, wrote that 'forcing museums to eliminate material that does not suit the beliefs of a particular presidential administration is an assault on historical truth.' She continued, 'The letter's warning that the museums must tell 'uplifting' stories about America that are also 'inclusive' and in alignment with American ideals is nonsense. History is not a Hallmark card. The way to tell the true American story is to provide as many broad and diverse and expertly researched stories as we can.' Samuel J. Redman, a history professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and an expert on the Smithsonian, told the New York Times that the review amounted to 'a full assault on the autonomy of all the different branches of the institution.' Also quoted in the New York Times, Sarah Weicksel, executive director of the American Historical Association and a PhD historian, said the administration's review was a 'major overstep.' And in an interview with Here & Now's Robin Young, Weicksel maintained that the Smithsonian needed to be able to tell the American story in its entirety. "In honoring the historical record, we have to talk about race, and we have to talk about racism," she said. "We can't not talk about enslavement in the United States. These are simply historical facts. They are integral to understanding aspects of our shared history." Writing in The Bulwark, Thomas Lecaque, an associate professor of history at Grand View University, observed that 'Donald Trump's lastest move against the Smithsonian Institution is the most noxious yet. It is part of his larger effort—alongside his attacks on universities and the scientific enterprise, his clashes with law firms and news organizations, and his takeover of the Kennedy Center—to remake reality as he sees fit, including American history and American culture.' A few conservatives praised the review. In several posts on X, Mike Gonzalez, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, said the White House review was coming 'not a minute too soon,' and that the 'White House informs Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch that it's going to put the museums under adult supervision.' The Smithsonian released its own brief, cautious statement regarding the letter. 'The Smithsonian's work is grounded in a deep commitment to scholarly excellence, rigorous research, and the accurate, factual presentation of history,' it reads. '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.' The new review is just the latest salvo aimed at the Smithsonian by the Trump administration. It follows a March executive order titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History" that claimed the institution had come "under the influence of a divisive, race-centered ideology" and had promoted "narratives that portray American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive." In May, Trump said he was firing Kim Sajet, the director of the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, saying she was "a highly partisan person, and a strong supporter of DEI, which is totally inappropriate for her position." She resigned a few weeks later. Then there was the controversy over the Smithsonian's museum temporary removal in July of a placard about Trump's two impeachments from an exhibit describing the impeachments of Bill Clinton and Andrew Johnson and the process started against Richard Nixon. That display has since been restored, but in a watered down fashion. The stakes of the Smithsonian review are high, involving how history is preserved and taught and by whom. Should the historical record be subject to political editing, or should it be left to the consensus of trained scholars and historical research, even if those accounts run contrary to preferences to believe in American exceptionalism. We may be about to find out.
Fox News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
CNN's Jennings says same critics of Trump's Smithsonian review were cheering destruction of monuments in 2020
CNN commentator Scott Jennings called out those panicking about the White House reviewing Smithsonian museum content — arguing those same critics cheered the destruction of monuments during the early 2020's. The Trump administration is scrutinizing the Smithsonian Institution ahead of America's 250th anniversary celebration next year, requiring specific national museums and affiliated exhibits to "reflect the unity, progress, and enduring values that define the American story." The largely federally funded museum has been scrutinized in recent years for politically charged materials, such as criticizing "White dominant culture." In a letter penned to Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lonnie Bunch III, Trump administration officials laid out a review process that the institution will undergo in order to ensure alignment with President Donald Trump's "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History" executive order and remove "divisive or partisan narratives" in America's shared cultural institutions. CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip was sharply divided over the move, with Jennings arguing that for America's upcoming 250th anniversary, "It is of vital interest and importance to the White House that this celebration be pro-America." Panelists proceeded to debate whether the choice to emphasize America's accomplishments and exceptionalism is an act of erasure or of emphasis, with one panelist arguing that when one views the National Air and Space Museum, they naturally would expect to see more focus on America's Moon landing rather than the Challenger shuttle disaster of 1986. "This is very Russia-coded," commentator S.E. Cupp argued, comparing this review to Russian overhauls of Ukrainian museums. She was later pressed on whether monuments depicting Italian explorer Christopher Columbus should be taken down and replied, "Well I'm Italian, I'm proud of Columbus." "Yeah, the last time we sort of talked about the changing of historical exhibits was when all these angry mobs all over the country tore down historical statues all over the place, and the people who seem to be angriest about the Smithsonian review were cheering that on," Jennings argued. Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla, challenged him, accusing Jennings of refusing to condemn politicians for "editing our history." In return, Jennings rejected the idea that politicians were doing so. America has been sharply divided in recent years over how to teach history to younger generations. One major example was the 1619 project, an initiative by The New York Times' Nikole Hannah-Jones, which purports that 1619, the year the first enslaved Africans were brought to what would later become the United States, should be considered the true founding year of the country. The project's materials were integrated into school curriculums across the country and treated as a factual historical narrative, despite the fact it was challenged by historians for inaccuracies. In the past few years, particularly after statutes of Confederate leaders had sparked controversy or been dismantled, a move praised by Democrats, protesters went on to vandalize other figures from American history, such as Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Ulysses S. Grant. Years after Trump condemned protesters for attempting to take down a statute of President Andrew Jackson in the nation's capital, Democrats pushed the Andrew Jackson Statue Removal Act to try to have it taken down by the federal government. New York City politician and Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani recently faced scrutiny in July for appearing to call for the destruction of a statue of Columbus. When riots took place across the country following George Floyd's death, Mamdani posted a photo of what appears to be his hand flipping off a statue of Christopher Columbus and said "Take it down." In July 2020, the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture released a controversial graphic showing guidelines for talking about race which vilified the "Aspects and assumptions of Whiteness and White culture in the United States." These ranged from the largely Anglo-protestant values of American settlers such as "rugged individualism" to emphasizing "Barbie" as the essence of female beauty to White people. In what was widely mocked as patronizing to Black Americans, it was also argued that to believe in "delayed gratification," to "plan for the future," to practice "rational linear thinking," and to "follow rigid time schedules" are also specifically White American values.
CNA
6 days ago
- Politics
- CNA
US to probe Smithsonian museums to remove 'partisan narratives'
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump's administration said on Tuesday (Aug 12) it had ordered a sweeping review of some Smithsonian museums to ensure their exhibitions laud American exceptionalism and "remove divisive or partisan narratives". Trump has moved to assert control over major American cultural institutions since starting his second term in January, while also slashing arts and humanities funding. The Smithsonian is one of America's most hallowed institutions, with its vast network of museums boasting tens of millions of artefacts for public display. A letter to the institution's secretary Lonnie Bunch, published on the White House website on Tuesday, said the administration would carry out a "comprehensive internal review of selected Smithsonian museums and exhibitions". "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," said the letter, signed by three senior White House officials. It will target eight major museums, including the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the National Museum of the American Indian, the letter said. The review aims to assess "tone, historical framing, and alignment with American ideals" across exhibitions, educational materials and digital content ahead of the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding next year. The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History removed last month a label referring to Trump's two impeachments, a move its parent institution later denied came under White House pressure. The review requires that the museums submit extensive documentation - including exhibition plans, wall text, educational materials, grant information and internal guidelines - within 30 days. The Smithsonian did not respond immediately to AFP's request for comment. It said in a statement to The New York Times that its "work is grounded in a deep commitment to scholarly excellence, rigorous research and the accurate, factual presentation of history".
Axios
6 days ago
- Politics
- Axios
Read: White House launches "comprehensive" review of Smithsonian exhibits
The Trump administration told the Smithsonian Institution it's launching a "comprehensive internal review" of the world's biggest museum and research complex, per a letter the White House released Tuesday. The big picture: "As we prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our Nation's founding, it is more important than ever that our national museums reflect the unity, progress, and enduring values that define the American story," states the letter to Smithsonian secretary Lonnie Bunch, signed by White House officials Lindsey Halligan, Vince Haley and Russell Vought. "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 says the action is in accordance with President Trump's March executive order on reshaping the Smithsonian and removing what he deems "improper ideology" from the institution. Of note: The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in July removed mentions of Trump's two impeachments from an exhibit, before restoring his name to an impeachment display with revisions. What to expect: The review will initially focus on the following museums before shifting focus to others: National Museum of American History. National Museum of Natural History. National Museum of African American History and Culture. National Museum of the American Indian. National Air and Space Museum. Smithsonian American Art Museum National Portrait Gallery. Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Zoom in: Each museum must submit within 30 days all requested materials, including current exhibition descriptions and draft plans for upcoming shows, according to the letter. An inventory of all permanent holdings must be submitted within 75 days and each museum "should finalize and submit its updated plan to commemorate America's 250th anniversary," among other requirements. Within 120 days, museums "should begin implementing content corrections where necessary, replacing divisive or ideologically driven language with unifying, historically accurate, and constructive descriptions across placards, wall didactics, digital displays, and other public-facing materials," per the letter. What they're saying: "The Smithsonian's work is grounded in a deep commitment to scholarly excellence, rigorous research, and the accurate, factual presentation of history," the institution said in a media statement Tuesday.
Mint
6 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
White House plans review of Smithsonian Institution to fit Trump's vision of US history
The White House is likely to launch a review of the Smithsonian Institution's exhibitions, content, and operations ahead of the United States' 250th anniversary next year, aiming to ensure the museums reflect President Donald Trump's vision of American history, a White House official told ABC News. White House wrote to Lonnie Bunch, the secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, saying it wants the museums "reflect the unity, progress, and enduring values that define the American story." The White House writes that in accordance with a March executive order, "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," officials will be leading a "comprehensive internal review of selected Smithsonian museums and exhibitions. 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 Smithsonian Institution responded saying: "The Smithsonian's work is grounded in a deep commitment 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."
