Story perspectives

Trump administration accuses Smithsonian museum of bias.

7/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump’s administration issued a report accusing Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History of bias.
The report says museum uses history as tool dividing citizens, quoting director Anthea Hartig who called it a “prime tool of social justice.”
The report condemns exhibits portraying United States as built on stolen Indigenous land and genocide.
Smithsonian spokesperson Julissa Marenco and Secretary Lonnie Bunch rejected accusations, citing a 180-year nonpartisan scholarship tradition.

History

Historical Context

Congress first limited NEA grants in 1985, and the 1989 Mapplethorpe controversy prompted the 1990 decency amendment and the 1998 Supreme Court’s NEA v. Finley decision upholding it. During Clinton’s 1995 budget fight, arts funding became a flashpoint, contributing to the 1995 shutdown that furloughed about 800,000 workers. The Trump administration’s recent Smithsonian report echoes those earlier battles over federal arts funding.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump’s administration issued a report accusing Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History of bias.
The report says museum uses history as tool dividing citizens, quoting director Anthea Hartig who called it a “prime tool of social justice.”
The report condemns exhibits portraying United States as built on stolen Indigenous land and genocide.
Smithsonian spokesperson Julissa Marenco and Secretary Lonnie Bunch rejected accusations, citing a 180-year nonpartisan scholarship tradition.

1 / 2