WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum complex, is under intensified scrutiny as the Trump administration expands its review of exhibits to align with a vision of “Americanism,” according to a document obtained by The Guardian on August 21, 2025. The White House has flagged seven additional museums, including the National Museum of the American Latino, African Art, and Asian Art, for allegedly promoting “overly negative” portrayals of U.S. history. This follows a March executive order, “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” which criticized the Smithsonian for “divisive, race-centered ideology.”
The review, detailed in a White House letter to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch, targets exhibits like the National Museum of American History’s ¡Presente! Latino history display, accused of depicting the U.S. as “stealing” Mexican territory in 1848, and a Benjamin Franklin exhibit tying his achievements to slave ownership, per The Guardian. The administration demands revisions within 120 days to emphasize “unity and progress.” “The Smithsonian’s work is grounded in scholarly excellence and factual history,” Bunch responded, pledging to maintain curatorial integrity.
Key points of contention include:
- Exhibit Changes: References to Trump’s impeachments were removed from a presidency exhibit in July, sparking whitewashing concerns.
- Museum Scope: Seven newly targeted museums join eight others, including the National Air and Space Museum, under review.
- Public Reaction: Posts on X, like @OurProgressive, highlight fears of historical revisionism.
Historians, including the American Historical Association’s Sarah Weicksel, called the move a “major overstep,” per The New York Times. The Congressional Black Caucus labeled it “blatantly racist,” arguing Black history is American history. With the Smithsonian’s $1 billion budget partly funded by Congress, the review tests its independence as the nation’s 250th anniversary nears.
Source: The Guardian
