Trump Escalates Smithsonian Review Amid Culture War

President Donald Trump has intensified his campaign against the Smithsonian Institution, accusing it of promoting a "woke" and anti-American narrative that focuses excessively on negative aspects of U.S. history such as slavery and the struggles of marginalized groups. Trump announced on social media that he has instructed his attorneys to scrutinize Smithsonian museums using tactics similar to those previously applied to colleges and universities to enforce his administration's vision of celebrating American exceptionalism and patriotic themes. This move follows his March 2025 executive order, "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," which directed cultural institutions to eliminate what he considers improper ideology and politically divisive narratives. The White House has launched a review of the Smithsonian's exhibits, led by Vice President J.D. Vance, with efforts already resulting in changes such as the removal of references to Trump's impeachments from museum displays. The Smithsonian has expressed its commitment to scholarly excellence and accuracy, pledging to cooperate with the review while emphasizing its independence in curatorial decisions. Critics warn that these actions risk rewriting historical records and undermining the integrity of cultural institutions.