In a decisive action aimed at reshaping American culture and history, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order targeting the Smithsonian Institution, known for its vast network of museums and research centers. The order, titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” is designed to eliminate what Trump deems “improper, divisive, or anti-American ideology” from the institution’s exhibits.
This order highlights Trump’s desire to influence American cultural narratives, as it directs the Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum, to restore federal properties, including historical parks and memorials that have been altered or removed over the past five years. The initiative is positioned as a response to what Trump refers to as a false revision of history caused by left-wing ideologies.
The executive order also mandates that Congress refrain from funding Smithsonian exhibitions and programs that promote racial division. One notable mention within the directive is the American Women’s History Museum, which Trump claims plans to recognize transgender women in its narrative. Furthermore, he criticizes the National Museum of African American History and Culture for framing qualities like individualism and nuclear family as features of “White culture.”
The Smithsonian Institution serves millions of visitors annually, offering free access to its 21 museums in Washington DC, Virginia, and New York. This includes prominent establishments like the National Museum of American History and the American Art Museum. Trump’s order directs an overhaul of the Smithsonian’s approach to exhibitions, especially those that explore race and diversity, further fueling the ongoing culture war in the United States.
Notably, the order places Vice-President JD Vance at the forefront of enforcing these significant changes through his role on the Smithsonian Board of Regents. Additionally, as America approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Trump’s directive to enhance Independence Hall in Philadelphia underscores his commitment to what he perceives as restoring a truthful portrayal of American history.
President Trump’s push against what he calls “woke” ideologies is not new; he has previously taken steps to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion programs within the federal government, often facing legal challenges along the way. This latest maneuver is likely to provoke further controversy and debate about the intersection of culture, politics, and the role of public institutions in shaping national identity.