President Donald Trump has expressed frustration with the Smithsonian Institution’s portrayal of America’s history, particularly regarding slavery, and has announced a comprehensive review of the museums exhibits to ensure they reflect unity and progress.
Trump criticizes the Smithsonian for focusing on the dark aspects of history, stating that the narrative offered by these institutions fails to highlight America’s successes and future potential.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated that the Smithsonian is “OUT OF CONTROL, where everything discussed is how horrible our Country is”, including “how unaccomplished the downtrodden have been”. He announced that his administration will conduct a review of the institution’s exhibits for their “Americanism”.
The review, which was ordered by the White House last week, aims to assess the museums’ portrayal of American history and values.
Trump compared this review to those conducted at universities, where “tremendous progress has been made”. He added, “This Country cannot be WOKE, because WOKE IS BROKE”.
The Organisation of American Historians (OAH) has expressed “deep concern and dismay” at the White House’s “unprecedented” request, stating that “no president has the legitimate authority to impose such a review”.
The OAH also expressed concern that the review is tied to the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, which will be marked next year.
“It is particularly distressing to see this effort of historical censorship and sanitising tied to the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding,” the OAH said. The Smithsonian receives most of its budget from Congress but is independent in decision-making.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture, which was opened in 2016, is one of the museums included in the review.
The museum’s exhibits showcase the richness and diversity of the African American experience, including a plantation cabin from South Carolina and Chuck Berry’s red Cadillac convertible.
The Poets, Essayists and Novelists (PEN) America, has also expressed alarm at the Trump administration’s “sweeping review” of Smithsonian exhibits, stating that it is a “betrayal of our democratic traditions” and an effort to “strip truth from the institutions that tell our national story”.
Trump’s actions are part of a broader effort to reshape American education and cultural institutions. His administration has threatened to cut federal funding for top US educational institutions, citing pro-Palestinian protests, transgender policies, climate initiatives, and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
Last month, the government settled probes into Columbia University and Brown University, with both institutions agreeing to pay significant amounts to the government and accept certain demands.
Harvard University has sued the Trump administration to halt the freezing of $2.3 billion of its federal funding.
The controversy surrounding the Smithsonian review is just one aspect of the ongoing debate over the role of government in shaping American education and culture.