❓WHAT HAPPENED: The White House has initiated a comprehensive review of Smithsonian exhibitions to ensure alignment with the President’s directive to celebrate American exceptionalism and remove divisive, woke narratives.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Key signatories include Lindsey Halligan, Vince Haley, and Russell Vought, representing the White House Domestic Policy Council and Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
📍WHEN & WHERE: The directive was communicated via a letter addressed to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III, with implementation timelines spanning the next 120 days.
💬KEY QUOTE: “By focusing on Americanism—the people, principles, and progress that define our nation—we can work together to renew the Smithsonian’s role as the world’s leading museum institution.” — Trump White House
🎯IMPACT: The review aims to restore public confidence in the Smithsonian’s role as a trusted institution and align its exhibitions with the values of unity and American progress.
The Trump White House has announced a comprehensive internal review of selected Smithsonian museums and exhibitions, aiming to ensure alignment with Executive Order 14253, titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” This directive seeks to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive narratives, and restore confidence in the Smithsonian as a trusted cultural institution.
The letter, addressed to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III, outlined a detailed plan for the review process. “As we prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our Nation’s founding, it is more important than ever that our national museums reflect the unity, progress, and enduring values that define the American story,” the letter states, emphasizing that the review will focus on public-facing content, curatorial processes, exhibition planning, narrative standards, and the use of collections.
The process will begin with museums submitting requested materials, including exhibition plans, educational content, and internal guidelines, within 30 days. On-site visits and interviews with curators and senior staff will follow, aiming to better understand the goals driving current and future exhibitions. The review will also evaluate 250th Anniversary programming and ensure coordination with the White House Salute to America 250 Task Force.
By the 120-day mark, museums are expected to implement necessary content corrections, replacing divisive or ideologically driven woke language with unifying and historically accurate descriptions. A final report, including museum-specific assessments and recommendations, is expected to be completed by early 2026.
“We view this process as a collaborative and forward-looking opportunity—one that empowers museum staff to embrace a revitalized curatorial vision rooted in the strength, breadth, and achievements of the American story,” the Trump White House letter says, adding: “By focusing on Americanism—the people, principles, and progress that define our nation—we can work together to renew the Smithsonian’s role as the world’s leading museum institution.”
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