Smithsonian exhibit review signals broader political influence

A White House directive requests a broad review of Smithsonian exhibits to match the president's view of American history ahead of the 250th anniversary.

White House reviews Smithsonian exhibits to align with Trump era history narrative

The White House has instructed the Smithsonian Institution to review eight museums and their online and on-site displays for alignment with the president’s view of American history. Officials asked the museums to share current exhibit information within 30 days and to begin implementing content corrections within 120 days. The effort, outlined in a letter to Smithsonian secretary Lonnie Bunch and signed by White House staff, aims to frame exhibits around unity, progress and enduring American values as described in the administration’s guiding language for the anniversary commemoration. The review will include on-site visits and a review of curatorial processes, with a focus on placards, wall texts and digital displays.

The move follows prior reporting about artifact rotations and changes at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, and a controversy over a placard in an impeachment exhibit at the National Museum of American History. The Smithsonian says such changes are meant to improve display standards and accuracy, while critics warn that political direction could influence what the public learns about the nation’s past. The White House has also pressed the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, signaling a broader push to shape how national institutions present culture and history as part of the presidential agenda.

The episode spotlights a broader tension between independence and oversight of cultural memory. If museums are asked to harmonize with a political narrative, they risk narrowing the space for contested history and scholarly debate. The real test will be whether curators can preserve factual accuracy while accommodating a national storytelling aim that is emotionally resonant without becoming partisan. The outcome could affect public trust, donor confidence and the willingness of audiences to engage with difficult chapters of history.

Highlights

The coming months will reveal whether memory can be stewarded with both honesty and unity not just by lawmakers but by curators who guard public access to history.