Overview

• The Smithsonian confirmed that President Donald Trump and Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III met for lunch on Thursday, with the White House describing the conversation as productive and cordial.
• A White House official said attorney and adviser Lindsey Halligan joined the meeting, reflecting her role assigned in March to lead efforts to remove what the administration calls improper ideology from museum programs.
• Recent steps by the administration include plans for government officials to vet exhibits and a published list that denounced specific works, such as a border refugees painting and a portrait of Anthony Fauci.
• Artist Amy Sherald withdrew a planned National Portrait Gallery survey after the museum allegedly asked her to exclude a painting that appeared on the White House list.
• Trump has asked his lawyers to review Smithsonian displays, though ARTnews notes the scope of his legal authority over the institution remains unclear.