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3d ago

White House Orders Smithsonian Exhibit Review to Align With Trump History Order

A formal letter tasks eight Smithsonian museums with phased reviews of exhibition texts, curatorial processes, planning, collections, grants to enforce the president’s directive for American exceptionalism.

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A sign stands outside the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, after the museum removed explicit reference to President Donald Trump from an exhibit about impeachment according to a spokesperson, at the museum in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 1, 2025.

Overview

  • On Aug. 12 the White House sent a letter signed by Lindsey Halligan, Vince Haley and Russ Vought to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch formally launching a multi-phase review.
  • The assessment covers public-facing exhibition text, online content, internal curatorial processes, future exhibition planning, use of collections and artist grants.
  • Museums have 30, 75 and 120 days to submit materials and begin replacing “divisive or ideologically driven” language with “unifying, historically accurate” descriptions.
  • Earlier this month the National Museum of American History restored references to President Trump’s two impeachments with altered wording, illustrating the administration’s influence on exhibit narrative.
  • Lawmakers, scholars and civil-rights advocates warn the review risks political interference, potential whitewashing of race and diversity topics, and raises questions about executive power over Smithsonian governance.