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New York Post
7 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Trump orders review of Smithsonian museums to ensure ‘alignment with American ideals' ahead of 250th anniversary
President Trump has ordered a 'comprehensive internal review' of exhibitions and materials at several Smithsonian museums to ensure the 178-year-old institution is putting America's best foot forward as its 250th birthday draws near. '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,' reads the Aug. 12 letter from the White House to Smithsonian Institution secretary Dr. Lonnie G. Bunch III. The Trump administration is ordering a 'comprehensive internal review' of a number of the Smithsonian's museums and exhibits ahead of America's 250th anniversary. AP Advertisement Citing one of Trump's executive orders from March, 'Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,' the missive explains its goals and assures the Institution it has no intention of interfering with the day-to-day work of curators and other staff. Rather, it says the review is to help the administration 'support a broader vision of excellence that highlights historically accurate, uplifting, and inclusive portrayals of America's heritage.' The letter says the review will focus on several areas of interest, including an audit of exhibition text, wall signage, educational materials and social media content 'to assess tone, historical framing, and alignment with American ideals.' Advertisement The 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.' Phase I of the review process will encompass eight of the Smithsonian's 21 museums, with additional museums to be reviewed in Phase II, the letter states. Included in Phase I is 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 process will see curators and senior staff interviewed to help the administration better understand how works are selected and approved for display, and what 'frameworks' guide those choices, the letter reads. Advertisement Eight of the Smithsonian's 21 museums will be included in Phase I of the review process. Getty Images The administration plans to look over current and future exhibitions, particularly those planned for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. They'll also evaluate how existing materials and collections could potentially be put to better use 'to highlight American achievement and progress,' which could include them being sent to other museums. Each of the museums is being asked to provide 10 different types of materials to the review team, including all planned 250th anniversary programming, internal guidelines and governance, external partnerships, 'grant-related documentation' and more. 'We view this process as a collaborative and forward-looking opportunity — one that empowers museum staff to embrace a revitalized curatorial vision rooted in the strength, breadth, and achievements of the American story,' the letter concludes. Advertisement 'By focusing on Americanism-the people, principles, and progress that define our nation-we can work together to renew the Smithsonian's role as the world's leading museum institution.' The White House says it plans on completing its report early next year, which will include assessments, institutional trends and 'constructive recommendations for future exhibition strategy.' An email to the Smithsonian sent by The Post seeking comment was not immediately returned. Earlier this month, the Smithsonian was forced to issue a statement that it was not coerced by the administration into removing a placard from a National Museum of American History exhibit detailing Trump's two impeachments. 'We were not asked by any Administration or other government official to remove content from the exhibit,' the museum said in a press release, further explaining 'the placard … did not meet the museum's standards in appearance, location, timeline and overall presentation.' The statement came after the Washington Post published an article claiming the takedown was the result of pressure from the White House, citing a person familiar with the exhibit plans. The Smithsonian said it plans to restore the exhibition — which is intended 'to reflect all impeachment proceedings in our nation's history' — in the coming weeks.
Time Magazine
12-08-2025
- Politics
- Time Magazine
White House to Review Smithsonian Exhibitions
The White House said on Tuesday that it will launch a sweeping review of exhibitions at the Smithsonian Institution '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.' In a letter addressed to Lonnie G. Bunch III, the Secretary of the Smithsonian, White House officials said they would lead a 'comprehensive internal review' of Smithsonian museums and exhibitions, focusing on areas including public-facing content, the curatorial process, and exhibition planning, among others. '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,' the letter reads. The news was first reported by The Wall Street Journal, which obtained a draft of the letter before it was published on the White House's website on Tuesday. The review will initially focus on eight of the Smithsonian's 21 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 White House said that other museums will be reviewed in 'Phase II' of this initiative. The letter cites an Executive Order that President Donald Trump signed in March, 'Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,' in which he criticized the Smithsonian Institution. The Executive Order claims that the Smithsonian 'has, in recent years, come under the influence of a divisive, race-centered ideology' and that Trump's Administration 'will restore the Smithsonian Institution to its rightful place as a symbol of inspiration and American greatness.' A few months after the order was issued, tensions between the President and the Smithsonian mounted when Trump sought to fire the director of the National Portrait Gallery, Kim Sajet, calling her a 'highly partisan person, and a strong supporter of DEI.' The Smithsonian maintained that it had authority over personnel decisions and emphasized its history of independence in a June statement. It also said, however, that to reinforce its 'nonpartisan stature' its governing Board of Regents, which includes both Democrats and Republicans, had directed Bunch to outline expectations to museum directors and staff regarding museum content and give them 'reasonable time to make any needed changes to ensure unbiased content.' Sajet resigned days later, saying in a statement that she felt it was best for the institution. In Tuesday's letter, White House officials said their '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.' Officials requested that each of the eight museums included in the initial phase of the review provide materials including programming related to the nation's 250th anniversary, as well as catalog and programs for all current and ongoing exhibitions. Museum staff will have 120 days to make any changes requested by the Trump Administration, 'replacing divisive or ideologically driven language with unifying, historically accurate, and constructive descriptions,' according to the letter.
