Overview

• The White House released an article titled “President Trump Is Right About the Smithsonian” that names exhibits and texts it deems objectionable, including an LGBTQ+ history show, a National Museum of African American History and Culture text citing Ibram X. Kendi, and works addressing racism and immigration.
• On 12 August, President Trump ordered a 120-day review directing Smithsonian leaders to replace what he called divisive or ideologically driven language with unifying, historically accurate descriptions.
• Artists and scholars singled out on the list publicly defended their work, with Kendi likening the effort to Jim Crow–era attempts to suppress truthful accounts of slavery and others warning the move amounts to censorship.
• Artist Amy Sherald withdrew a planned National Portrait Gallery exhibition citing censorship concerns, and more than 150 U.S. arts organizations signed a pledge to resist political pressure on museums.
• The administration signaled plans to expand the effort beyond the Smithsonian, at least eight Smithsonian museums are under review, President Trump labeled the institution “OUT OF CONTROL” on Truth Social, and lawyer Lindsey Halligan is helping lead parts of the review despite no museum background.