The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History
President Trump’s administration has been in an escalating public and policy conflict with the Smithsonian Institution—particularly its National Museum of American History (NMAH)—over how U.S. history is presented. This centers on accusations that the museum promotes “extreme political activism,” “radical” or “woke” ideology, and a narrative of national shame rather than balanced or patriotic storytelling. The fight intensified in 2025–2026 amid preparations for America’s 250th anniversary (July 4, 2026).
Timeline of Key Events
March 27, 2025: Trump signed Executive Order 14253, “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” It directed the removal of “improper, divisive, or anti-American ideology” from Smithsonian museums and programs. The order criticized efforts to portray America’s founding principles and history as “inherently racist, sexist, oppressive, or otherwise irredeemably flawed,” aiming instead for content that celebrates liberty, individual rights, and national progress.
Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution Lonnie G. Bunch III (Credit: Wikipedia)
August 2025: The White House sent a letter to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III launching a comprehensive internal review of exhibits and materials across multiple museums (including NMAH). It demanded alignment with celebrating “American exceptionalism,” removing “divisive or partisan narratives,” and content corrections. Trump posted on Truth Social criticizing Smithsonian museums for focusing excessively on negatives like “how bad slavery was” while ignoring “Success, Brightness, [and] the Future.” He described them as “OUT OF CONTROL.”
Ongoing 2025–early 2026: Pressure continued with demands for exhibit plans (especially for the 250th anniversary), record submissions, and threats related to funding or oversight. Some exhibits were reportedly adjusted (e.g., reduced emphasis on certain modern political topics in other Smithsonian venues).
Director of the Smithsonian Instution Anthea Hartig (Credit:New York Times)
July 4–5, 2026: The White House Domestic Policy Council released a detailed 162-page report titled Saving America’s Story. It specifically targeted the NMAH, accusing its leadership (notably Director Anthea Hartig) of ideological capture, prioritizing activism over scholarship, and erasing or distorting America’s heritage.
Core Accusations in the July 2026 White House Report
The report’s main thesis is that the NMAH has shifted from objective history education to political activism rooted in frameworks that view America as fundamentally defined by injustice, oppression, and division (e.g., systemic racism, colonialism, gender/sexuality issues). It allegedly minimizes or omits inspiring elements of the founding era while emphasizing regret, tragedy, and shame.
Downplaying the Founding: No major dedicated exhibits on the Founding Fathers (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, etc.), the Continental Congress, the Revolution, or core documents like the Declaration of Independence and Constitution in a celebratory context. Founders are often introduced primarily through connections to slavery rather than their achievements or principles.
Specific exhibit examples (as cited in the report and coverage): Reframing of Pilgrims/Thanksgiving as colonial oppression or a “National Day of Mourning”; Columbus portrayed negatively; immigration exhibits (e.g., “Many Voices, One Nation” or Center for Restorative History initiatives) allegedly promoting pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, “Abolish ICE” themes, or framing America as having “no single culture/narrative”; gender/sexuality content presenting fluidity or transgender topics in youth-oriented exhibits; emphasis on racial inequality, Indigenous displacement, and legacies of slavery/colonialism without sufficient counterbalancing of progress or unifying ideals.
Leadership critique: Hartig is quoted or referenced as viewing history as a “prime tool of social justice,” stating “loving America is very complicated,” and shifting the museum’s mission toward “empowering a just and compassionate future” by exploring “complexity” (often interpreted as focusing on flaws). The report alleges anti-white bias in staff training or framing (e.g., treating objectivity or traditional values as “white supremacy culture”) and partnerships or curricula seen as activist-oriented.
Broader impact: The museum allegedly divides Americans, fosters national shame, and fails its role as a federally supported institution to inspire unity and informed patriotism—especially problematic ahead of the 250th anniversary.
The report frames this as part of a larger pattern across the Smithsonian and calls for reforms to restore “truthful” history centered on achievements, founding principles, and a coherent national story while still acknowledging injustices.
(Read more: Grok w/links) (Domestic Policy Council Report, 7/4/2026)