Trump's Executive Order Targets Smithsonian's Historical Narratives

The directive, granting VP JD Vance oversight, seeks to remove 'divisive' content and reinstate Confederate monuments, raising concerns over historical erasure and political interference.

• President Trump issued an executive order mandating the removal of 'divisive' or 'anti-American' content from Smithsonian exhibits and programs.
• Vice President JD Vance has been tasked with implementing the order, including oversight of Smithsonian funding and exhibit content.
• The order calls for the reinstatement of Confederate monuments removed since 2020, sparking criticism from historians and civil rights advocates.
• Critics warn the order could erase narratives about racism, sexism, and systemic discrimination, undermining the Smithsonian’s role as a custodian of inclusive history.
• The Smithsonian, reliant on federal funding for two-thirds of its budget, faces heightened vulnerability to political influence under the directive.

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