President Donald Trump intensified his criticism of the Smithsonian museums, accusing them of overemphasizing the negative aspects of American history, particularly slavery, in a Truth Social post on August 19, 2025. This escalation follows a White House-initiated review aimed at ensuring exhibits align with Trump’s vision of American exceptionalism and removing what he deems divisive narratives.
Who is involved includes Trump, his administration aides such as those who sent a letter to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III, and various experts and commentators. Trump’s team has been targeting cultural institutions, similar to previous actions against universities, with figures like Janet Marstine, a museum ethics expert, criticizing the move as setting the Smithsonian up for failure.
What happened is Trump’s social media attack on the Smithsonian, claiming it focuses too much on ‘how bad slavery was’ and other negative history, coupled with a broader review process. The White House demands include scrutinizing public content, curatorial processes, and exhibition planning to eliminate partisan elements.
When this occurred was on August 19, 2025, with Trump’s post coming days after the review was announced. The timing indicates a continued effort by the administration to influence historical narratives during Trump’s presidency.
Where this is centered is in Washington D.C., at the Smithsonian Institution’s museums, but the implications are national, affecting historical education and presentation across the United States.
Why Trump is pursuing this stems from his belief that current exhibits promote a negative view of America and undermine patriotism. He aims to foster a unified, positive narrative of American history, which he feels is compromised by discussions of slavery’s atrocities.
How this is being implemented involves a mix of public statements, executive orders, and administrative reviews. For example, Vice President JD Vance is tasked with overseeing exhibit spending, and there are threats to federal funding, mirroring tactics used against colleges.
The impact has sparked significant debate and criticism. Experts argue it threatens academic freedom and historical accuracy, while public figures like Spike Lee have reacted strongly. The controversy highlights tensions over how history is taught and remembered in the U.S.
What’s next includes the Smithsonian’s own review, which it claims is committed to unbiased presentation. However, due to its status as a trust instrumentality not directly under executive control, legal and bureaucratic challenges may arise, potentially leading to prolonged disputes over exhibit content.