Smithsonian Institution Responds to White House Pressure on Trump Exhibits

The Smithsonian Institution has recently come under pressure from the White House regarding the content of its exhibits and events planned for the United States's 250th birthday. This pressure culminated in the transmission of new materials and documents to the Trump administration, as confirmed by an internal email from Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch. The White House had previously set a January deadline for the Smithsonian to align its exhibitions with President Donald Trump's executive order aimed at promoting a positive portrayal of American history.

The Hill

In August, the White House issued a directive requiring the Smithsonian to ensure that its exhibits reflect a narrative of American exceptionalism while eliminating what it termed "divisive or partisan narratives." The Domestic Policy Council Director Vince Haley and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought communicated that the Smithsonian's earlier submissions were inadequate, stating that "the overwhelming majority of requested items remain outstanding." The White House has threatened to withhold funding if the Smithsonian does not comply with these requests.

The Hill

Recent changes at the Smithsonian include the National Portrait Gallery's decision to replace a photo of Trump with a new black-and-white image of him at the Resolute Desk, omitting any mention of his first term, including his impeachments and the January 6 Capitol attack. Additionally, the National Museum of American History temporarily altered its exhibit "The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden" by removing references to Trump's impeachments, although it later announced plans to restore the exhibit to include all presidential impeachments in U.S. history.

The Hill

Lonnie Bunch stated, “The Smithsonian will continue to engage with the White House, Congress, and government stakeholders to provide relevant and appropriate materials about our mission, organization, exhibitions, programs, and public offerings.” This reflects the institution's commitment to navigating the pressures from the administration while maintaining its educational mission.

The Hill

Critics of the White House's influence over the Smithsonian argue that such actions undermine the institution's integrity and its role as a custodian of American history. The alterations to exhibits have raised concerns about censorship and the potential distortion of historical narratives, which some believe could lead to a sanitized version of history that does not accurately reflect the complexities of past events.

The Hill

While the Smithsonian has made changes to its exhibits in response to the White House's directives, there is a lack of clarity regarding the extent of these changes and their long-term implications. The Smithsonian's commitment to restoring comprehensive historical narratives remains to be fully realized, as evidenced by the temporary nature of some alterations.

The Hill

As the Smithsonian prepares for the upcoming 250th anniversary celebrations, the institution will likely continue to navigate the balance between governmental expectations and its mission to present an accurate portrayal of American history. Further developments in this ongoing situation are anticipated as the deadline approaches.

The Hill