White House Orders Smithsonian to Review Exhibits

Donald Trump has directed the Smithsonian Institution to review its exhibits and operations to reflect his view of American history. According to The Wall Street Journal on August 12, White House officials sent a letter to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch, urging changes.

The letter follows up on Trump’s March 27 executive order titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” The order claims that the Smithsonian, once a symbol of American excellence, has adopted a “divisive, race-centered ideology” portraying American and Western values as harmful and oppressive.

Guidelines for Change

The White House letter allegedly outlines steps for the museum to complete the review. Officials asked the Smithsonian to replace “divisive or ideologically driven” content with “unifying, historically accurate” language. A finalized report is expected within 30 days before any changes can be implemented.

Senior associate Lindsay Halligan, who signed the letter, emphasized the goal:

“This is about preserving trust in one of our most cherished institutions. Smithsonian museums and exhibits should be accurate, patriotic, and enlightening—ensuring they remain places of learning, wonder, and national pride for generations to come.”

Smithsonian Pushes Back

The Smithsonian responded, stressing that its work relies on “scholarly excellence, rigorous research, and accurate, factual presentation of history.” The institution added that it is “reviewing the letter with this commitment in mind” and will continue collaborating with the White House, Congress, and the Board of Regents.

Despite the pushback, critics accuse the White House of attempting to rewrite history.

Controversial Exhibit Changes

The Washington Post reported on July 31 that the National Museum of American History removed a label from “The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden.” The label mentioned Trump’s two impeachments and included a note reading, “Case under redesign (history happens).”

The Smithsonian said the label was always meant to be temporary, addressing current events. A spokesperson explained,

“In reviewing our legacy content recently, it became clear that the ‘Limits of Presidential Power’ section in the exhibition needed to be addressed.”

Sparks of Debate

CNN pundit Jillian Michaels defended Trump’s review, claiming slavery is “thousands of years old” and not tied to one race alone. In response, Rep. Ritchie Torres called her statement “extraordinary historical revisionism.”

The move has ignited debate about historical accuracy, institutional independence, and the role of politics in museum exhibits.