Amid the Donald Trump administration’s intense scrutiny of Smithsonian museums, the Guardian has obtained a document from the White House that outlines concerns about how these prominent cultural institutions portray American history. The document, which is based on public submissions received by the administration, identifies what it describes as problematic exhibits across seven different museums. Notable mentions include a Benjamin Franklin exhibit that connects his scientific contributions to his ownership of enslaved individuals and a film addressing the murder of George Floyd, which the document claims misrepresents the police.
“President Trump will explore all options and avenues to get the Woke out of the Smithsonian and hold them accountable,” stated a White House official. The official also noted that until the Smithsonian responds to their inquiries, the administration cannot confirm the number of artifacts that have been removed, as the museums have reportedly made these changes independently.
Earlier this week, Trump took to Truth Social to announce his initiative, declaring: “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.” The seven museums currently under review include the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of the American Latino, the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of African Art, the National Portrait Gallery, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and the National Museum of Asian Art.
The administration argues that the exhibits within these museums place too much emphasis on oppression rather than celebrating American achievements. For instance, the document highlights the ¡Presente! Latino history exhibition at the National Museum of American History, claiming it promotes an “anti-American agenda” by examining the effects of colonization and depicting the U.S. as having stolen territory from Mexico in 1848. Furthermore, the Benjamin Franklin exhibit has come under fire for linking Franklin’s scientific achievements to his ownership of enslaved people, while the Star-Spangled Banner display is criticized for concentrating on historical failures instead of national accomplishments.
The National Portrait Gallery is also under scrutiny for focusing on how the Chinese Exclusion Act and other racist immigration laws contradicted the welcoming message of the Statue of Liberty. Similarly, the National Museum of African Art is being targeted for its film about George Floyd, and the National Museum of Asian Art is flagged for exhibitions that allegedly enforce Western gender ideologies on traditional cultures.
In a significant move last week, White House budget director Russ Vought sent letters to eight museums, demanding information about their exhibits within 30 days. Additionally, he instructed museum officials to implement “content corrections,” which include replacing what the administration deems “divisive” language. This review mirrors previous pressures exerted by the Trump administration on universities, which resulted in institutions paying hundreds of millions to the government and retracting various diversity initiatives.
In a related development, the Smithsonian has already started making adjustments to exhibits that mention Trump. For example, the American History Museum removed all references to his impeachments from a display about presidential power in July, opting instead for generic mentions of three presidents who faced potential removal from office. The Smithsonian Institution has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding these ongoing changes and reviews.
