The Trump administration is tightening its grip on the Smithsonian in preparation for America’s 250th anniversary next year. They’re insisting that various national museums and exhibitions portray “the unity, progress, and enduring values that shape America’s story.”
A letter directed to Smithsonian Facilities Director Ronnie Bunch III outlined a review process that agencies will follow to align with President Trump’s executive order dubbed “Restore the Truth and Sanity in American History.” It aims to celebrate American exceptionalism, steer clear of divisive narratives, and, hopefully, restore trust in shared cultural institutions.
The letter emphasizes that this initiative is about respect for the Smithsonian’s mission and doesn’t intend to disrupt daily operations. The focus is on promoting “historically accurate, uplifting, and inclusive American heritage.”
Phase I of this internal review includes several prominent museums: the National Museum of American History, Natural History, African American History and Culture, American Indians, the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Portrait Gallery, and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.
There are five main areas of focus for the review, including evaluating existing and upcoming content in exhibits and ensuring that all guidelines adhere to the Smithsonian’s foundational mission.
Museum curators and senior staff will be interviewed to get a clearer picture of how exhibitions are selected and approved, and what frameworks guide current exhibit content.
The administration is requesting these museums to compile and provide all sorts of materials—digital files, educational resources, information on external partnerships, grant-related documents, survey responses, and internal guidelines that govern activities.
All provided materials will undergo scrutiny by staff responsible for confirming that the institution aligns with the directives from the Trump administration.
Despite the 120-day timetable for implementing changes, museums are expected to start addressing aspects of this process within 30 days of receiving the notice. Immediate tasks involve detailing current exhibitions, drafting plans for future shows, creating materials for the 250th anniversary, and submitting governing guidelines used in the development of exhibits. A staff liaison will also be designated to coordinate during the review.
Within 120 days, it’s anticipated that necessary content modifications will be implemented, such as replacing divisive or ideologically charged language with more uniform, historically accurate narratives.
The Trump administration aims to finish this review by early 2026, framing the process as a “cooperative and forward-looking opportunity.” The focus is meant to highlight the people, principles, and advancements that shape America, and ultimately to solidify the Smithsonian’s standing as a leading global museum.
The overarching goal, they conclude, is to make sure the Smithsonian remains a “trusted and inspiring” institution for future generations.
