White House orders major Smithsonian review to remove divisive content and highlight American values

The White House is doing a full internal review of exhibits and materials at the Smithsonian Institution, which runs many major public museums in the U.S. This review follows President Donald Trump’s order about what should and should not be shown in these museums.

A letter from three top Trump aides—Lindsey Halligan, Vince Haley, and Russell Vought—tells Smithsonian secretary Lonnie Bunch III that the review aims to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan stories, and restore public trust in cultural institutions.

The move is part of the Trump administration’s effort to influence US cultural and historical institutions and remove materials focusing on diversity. Earlier this year, Trump signed an executive order accusing the Smithsonian of promoting "divisive, race-centered ideology" that portrays American and Western values negatively. Vice President JD Vance was assigned to stop government spending on exhibits or programs that divide Americans by race or conflict with federal law and policy, as per the report by CNN.


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What the review will check

The letter says the review will focus on several important areas. It will look at the content shown to visitors in the museums, how items are selected for the exhibits, and the plans for current and future exhibitions. The review will also check how materials and collections are used, and the rules for the stories and information that are shared with the public. In the first phase, the review will cover eight Smithsonian museums located in Washington, DC.

These include the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of the American Indian, the National Air and Space Museum, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, as per reports.

Smithsonian’s response to the plan

More museums will be included in a second phase, but those will be announced later. The Smithsonian said it is "reviewing" the letter and plans to work “constructively” with the White House, according to the report by CNN.

The Smithsonian stressed its work is based on strong research and factual history and will continue to collaborate with the White House, Congress, and its Board of Regents. The Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum group with 21 museums and the National Zoo. Nearly 17 million people visited last year. Almost all museums have free admission.

The Smithsonian started its own review in June and says it stays nonpartisan and unbiased in presenting facts and history. It is willing to make changes if needed to meet its standards. The letter asks each museum to name a contact person to share plans for programming about America’s 250th anniversary, as stated by CNN report.

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Museums must send a full list of:

• Current and planned exhibitions and budgets
  
• Traveling exhibitions and plans for next three years
  
• Internal guidelines like staff manuals and job descriptions
  
• Internal communications about how artwork is chosen and approved
  

All this material must be sent within 30 days, after which White House officials will do on-site visits and walkthroughs. Within 75 days, voluntary interviews with curators and senior staff will be scheduled by the Trump administration.

Within 120 days, museums should start fixing content by removing divisive or ideological language and replacing it with unifying, historically accurate, and constructive descriptions in exhibits and displays. Last month, the National Museum of American History removed a temporary placard about Trump’s two impeachments, which caused public criticism. The museum later said the removal was temporary and denied any government pressure. The placard was put back with some changes and placed lower in the exhibit, as per the report by CNN.

FAQs

Q1. What is the White House review of the Smithsonian about?
The White House is reviewing Smithsonian exhibits to remove divisive content and promote American values, as ordered by President Donald Trump.

Q2. Which Smithsonian museums are included in the first review phase?
Eight museums in Washington, DC, including the National Museum of American History and the Air and Space Museum, are part of the first phase.