By Betsy Klein, CNN
(CNN) — The White Home is conducting a complete inner evaluation of displays and supplies on the Smithsonian Establishment – the group that runs the nation’s main public museums – in an effort to adjust to President Donald Trump’s directive about what ought to and shouldn’t be displayed.
The initiative, a trio of high Trump aides wrote in a letter to Smithsonian Establishment secretary Lonnie Bunch III, “aims to ensure alignment with the President’s directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions.”
It marks the most recent transfer by the Trump administration to impose the president’s views on US cultural and historic establishments and purge supplies centered on variety.
Earlier this 12 months, Trump signed an govt order accusing the Smithsonian Establishment of getting “come under the influence of a divisive, race-centered ideology” that has “promoted narratives that portray American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive.” Trump’s motion put Vice President JD Vance accountable for stopping authorities spending on “exhibits or programs that degrade shared American values, divide Americans based on race, or promote programs or ideologies inconsistent with Federal law and policy.”
The letter launched Tuesday — signed by Trump aides Lindsey Halligan, the senior affiliate workers secretary; Vince Haley, the Home Coverage Council director; and Russell Vought, the Workplace of Administration and Finances director — says the evaluation will deal with public-facing content material, the curatorial course of to know how work is chosen for exhibit, present and future exhibition planning, the usage of current supplies and collections, and tips for narrative requirements.
Eight key, Washington, DC-based Smithsonian museums will likely be a part of the primary section of the evaluation: the Nationwide Museum of American Historical past, the Nationwide Museum of Pure Historical past, the Nationwide Museum of African American Historical past and Tradition, the Nationwide Museum of the American Indian, the Nationwide Air and Area Museum, the Smithsonian American Artwork Museum, the Nationwide Portrait Gallery, and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Backyard. Further museums, the letter stated, will likely be introduced in a second section.
The Smithsonian stated it was “reviewing” the letter, telling CNN in an announcement it deliberate to work “constructively” with the White Home.
“The Smithsonian’s work is grounded in a deep commitment to scholarly excellence, rigorous research, and the accurate, factual presentation of history. We are reviewing the letter with this commitment in mind and will continue to collaborate constructively with the White House, Congress, and our governing Board of Regents,” the assertion stated.
The Smithsonian Establishment is the world’s largest museum complicated, together with 21 museums and the Nationwide Zoo. Almost 17 million individuals visited Smithsonian properties final 12 months, in line with the museum’s web site. Admission at almost all of the museums is free. The Smithsonian started a evaluation of its personal in June, and has repeatedly harassed its dedication to being nonpartisan. The establishment advised CNN in July that it was dedicated to an “unbiased presentation of facts and history” and that it might “make any necessary changes to ensure our content meets our standards.”
The letter calls on every museum to designate some extent of contact to supply particulars on plans for programming to focus on the nation’s 250th anniversary. It additionally asks for a full catalog of all present and ongoing exhibitions and budgets, an inventory of all touring exhibitions and plans for the subsequent three years, and all inner tips, together with workers manuals, job descriptions, and organizational charts, together with inner communications about exhibition art work choice and approval. That materials is due inside 30 days, with “on-site observational visits” and walkthroughs anticipated.
Inside 75 days, Trump administration officers will schedule and conduct “voluntary interviews with curators and senior staff.”
And inside 120 days, museums “should begin implementing content corrections where necessary, replacing divisive or ideologically driven language with unifying, historically accurate, and constructive descriptions across placards, wall didactics, digital displays, and other public-facing materials.”
Final month, the Nationwide Museum of American Historical past eliminated a short lived placard referencing Trump’s two impeachments from an exhibit associated to the presidency, prompting public outcry in opposition to the museum and claims it was capitulating to Trump. In follow-up statements, the museum system insisted the placard’s removing was momentary and denied it had been pressured by any authorities official to make adjustments to its displays. It was reinstalled days in the past, with some adjustments.
The exhibit now could be arrange in a means that locations details about Trump’s two impeachments in a decrease spot, with some adjustments to the placard’s textual content.
This creating story has been up to date.
Michael Williams contributed to this report.
Initially Revealed: August 12, 2025 at 4:39 PM PDT
