Trump Administration Reviews Smithsonian on Partisan Content
The Trump administration ordered the Smithsonian to align the exhibit with American exceptionalism.
The Smithsonian Association has set up an internal team to respond to President Donald Trump’s demands to curb what the administration calls “awakening,” but emphasizes independence during its review.
Smithsonian Secretary Ronnie Bunch III wrote to staff on September 3rd, outlined the steps it was taking in response to the administration’s push to reconstruct the country’s marquee cultural and historical institutions.
“Our independence is paramount,” Bunch told staff in a letter, according to the New York Times and the Washington Post.
In August, Trump went to social media to accus the Smithsonian of being “out of control” and focusing too much on “how scary our country is, how bad slavery is, and not being abused.”
The White House reviewed The Smithsonian in August, announcing that it was “conforming to Trump’s call to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives and restore confidence in shared cultural institutions.”
The White House previously told USA Today that the administration is “committed to eradicating the awakened and divisive ideology of our government and institutions.”
The reviews the White House said include an analysis of the exhibition text and an interview curator, but are expected to conclude in early 2026. The administration has not yet ordered the display to be removed.
“We’re bringing together a small internal team to advise me and our senior team on what we can offer and the timeline,” Bunch said.
Bunch said a letter to the White House on September 2 highlighted the independence of the agency amid a feud with the administration.
“There is a unique review of content ongoing to ensure programming is nonpartisan and facts are ongoing, consistent with our authority over programming and content,” writes Bunch.
The museum system is a public-private partnership and is overseen by a Regent Committee consisting of the Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court, the Vice President, three US Senators, three US representatives and nine citizens.
They oversee 21 museums and libraries, the National Zoo, and the national research and education centre. Approximately 60% of the budget comes from the federal government, while the rest comes from private sources or their business operations.
USA Today visited five Smithsonian locations in Washington, DC in late August. It was first reviewed by the Trump administration and attended a museum with nearly 50 people on opinions on the exhibition.
Many said they were confused and troubled by accusations from the White House about the Smithsonian. Overall, they said they believe the Smithsonian museum has a balanced view of American history.
USA Today has discovered that many of the Smithsonian items and the White House on display are no longer on display or posted online only.
The White House did not immediately provide comment when USA Today reached. The Smithsonian did not provide a comment but confirmed that the letter was sent.
This is the eight Smithsonian sites that are part of the first White House review.
- American History Museum
- National Museum of Natural History
- National Museum of African American History and Culture
- American Indian National Museum
- National Air and Space Museum
- Smithsonian American Museum
- National Portrait Gallery
- Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Contributors: Francesca Chambers, Cris Quintana
Brieanna Frank is the first amendment reporter for USA Today. Reports on the First Amendment issue for USA Today are funded through collaborations between the Freedom Forum and Journalism’s fundraising partners. Funders do not provide editor input.
