White House orders review of Smithsonian museums and exhibits to ensure alignment with Trump directive
The White House is conducting a comprehensive internal review of exhibits and materials at the Smithsonian Institution – the organization that runs the nation’s major public museums – in an effort to comply with Trump’s directive about what should and shouldn’t be displayed.
The initiative, a trio of top Trump aides wrote in a letter to Smithsonian Institution 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 latest move by the Trump administration to impose the president’s views on US cultural and historical institutions and purge materials focused on diversity.
| by Anonymous | reply 11 | August 13, 2025 10:53 AM
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Earlier this year, Trump signed an executive order accusing the Smithsonian Institution of having “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 action put Vice President JD Vance in charge of stopping government 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.”
| by Anonymous | reply 1 | August 13, 2025 6:54 AM
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Eight key, Washington, DC-based Smithsonian museums will be part of the first phase of the review: the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of the American Indian, the National Air and Space Museum, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Additional museums, the letter said, will be announced in a second phase.
| by Anonymous | reply 2 | August 13, 2025 6:54 AM
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Trump is an authoritarian and a fascist hell bent on destroying our democracy.
This administration is corrupt and lies about every facet of American life.
| by Anonymous | reply 3 | August 13, 2025 6:56 AM
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Unfortunstely, a very substantial number of Americans don't want, and have never wanted a democracy and are perfectly fine with the current sad state of affairs.
| by Anonymous | reply 5 | August 13, 2025 7:05 AM
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For the party of "small government" they sure love controlling every aspect of American life.
| by Anonymous | reply 6 | August 13, 2025 7:07 AM
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R4 - why would you even link that abortion of a thread?
| by Anonymous | reply 9 | August 13, 2025 10:47 AM
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Many Americans, including me, are still not really accepting what is happening.
They think it will be reversed in a few years. This is wishful thinking as a coping mechanism.
They think passionate arguments will help. This is denial of reality.
The time for persuasion passed long ago. It’s now about power. We need to find ways to get in their way, not stay in our heads.
| by Anonymous | reply 10 | August 13, 2025 10:53 AM
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If only there were historical precedence for something like this.
| by Anonymous | reply 11 | August 13, 2025 10:53 AM
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