White House Orders Smithsonian Museums Review for American Ideals Alignment

President Trump has initiated a comprehensive review of Smithsonian museums to align their exhibits with his vision of American exceptionalism and to eliminate what he describes as a 'woke' and divisive narrative focusing excessively on negative aspects of U.S. history, such as slavery. This move follows his earlier praise of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in 2017, but he now criticizes the Smithsonian for emphasizing the hardships of slavery and downplaying American success and future potential. The White House has directed a review of public-facing content in several Smithsonian museums to ensure the tone and historical framing reflect American values and remove partisan narratives ahead of the country's 250th anniversary. The Smithsonian Institution has responded by reaffirming its commitment to scholarly excellence, rigorous research, and factual historical presentation while reviewing the administration's requests in collaboration with Congress and its Board of Regents. Critics, including historians and free speech advocates, warn that the review risks political interference and censorship, potentially undermining public trust in historical institutions. President Trump has threatened potential federal funding cuts if museums do not comply with his directives to change exhibit content.