Story perspectives

White House Threatens Smithsonian Over Patriotic Content Review

12/21/2025

Summary

Story summary

The White House threatens to withhold federal funding from the Smithsonian Institution unless it adopts a patriotic content review.
Executive Order 14253 mandates focusing on American exceptionalism and removing 'improper ideology'.
Lonnie Bunch, Smithsonian Secretary, defends independence by saying curatorial decisions are made internally.
Critics say the move distorts history for political gain.
The review raises questions about who controls the American narrative ahead of the 250th anniversary in 2026.

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Story summary

The White House threatens to withhold federal funding from the Smithsonian Institution unless it adopts a patriotic content review.
Executive Order 14253 mandates focusing on American exceptionalism and removing 'improper ideology'.
Lonnie Bunch, Smithsonian Secretary, defends independence by saying curatorial decisions are made internally.
Critics say the move distorts history for political gain.
The review raises questions about who controls the American narrative ahead of the 250th anniversary in 2026.