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White House Orders Smithsonian to Turn Over Exhibition Plans for ‘Divisive’ Narratives Review

Smithsonian officials have 30 days to hand over exhibition texts, wall labels and educational programs under a spring decree, raising scholars’ alarms about government encroachment on historical interpretation.

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US-Präsident Donald Trump will missliebige Inhalte aus Nationalmuseen in Washington entfernen lassen. Betroffen sind acht Museen der Dachorganisation Smithsonian Institution, die sich überwiegend aus Bundesmitteln finanziert.
Eine Skulptur von Tommie Smith, John Carlos und dem Australier Peter Norman, die bei den Olympischen Spielen 1968 protestierten, als Teil der Sportausstellung im Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
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Overview

  • A White House letter targets eight key Smithsonian museums—including the National Museum of American Historythe NaNational Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture—for an initial review of exhibition texts, labels, websites and educational content.
  • The directive stems from a March decree aiming to align federal cultural displays with ‘American ideals’ and gives some museums 30 days to submit materials ahead of the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.
  • Reports in the Wall Street Journal suggest the review may extend to internal communications and staff files, prompting questions about the legal limits of executive oversight.
  • Smithsonian leadership has affirmed its commitment to rigorous, factual scholarship, saying it will review the administration’s demands and work constructively on submissions.
  • Historians and museum officials warn the initiative risks politicizing historical interpretation and undermining curatorial independence and artistic freedom.