Trump sparks outrage after saying the Smithsonian should showcase America’s “glory” instead of focusing on the painful history of slavery.
Smithsonian too focused on ‘how bad slavery was’: Trump President Donald Trump has instructed his lawyers to scour through America’s museums and rid them of exhibits that he calls “woke,” specifically citing exhibits on slavery.
President Donald Trump confirmed Tuesday that the White House is conducting a review of the Smithsonian museums, criticizing their focus on what he described as the “dark parts” of America’s history, including slavery.
“The Smithsonian is OUT OF CONTROL, where everything discussed is how horrible our Country is, how bad Slavery was, and how unaccomplished the downtrodden have been — Nothing about Success, nothing about Brightness, nothing about the Future,” Trump wrote on his social media platform. He added that he has directed his attorneys to review the museums, similar to what was done with colleges and universities. “This Country cannot be WOKE, because WOKE IS BROKE. We have the ‘HOTTEST’ Country in the World, and we want people to talk about it, including in our Museums.”
The Smithsonian declined to comment.
ABC News reported last week that the White House is planning a wide-ranging review of the Smithsonian Institution’s exhibitions and operations ahead of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. In a letter to Lonnie Bunch, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, the White House said it wants to ensure the museums “reflect the unity, progress, and enduring values that define the American story.”
Trump’s latest remarks stand in contrast to his 2017 visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. At the time, he praised the museum as “incredible,” “done with love,” and “a truly great museum.” He also honored figures such as Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, and Frederick Douglass, calling the tour “a meaningful reminder of why we have to fight bigotry, intolerance and hatred in all of its very ugly forms.”
The review will cover eight Smithsonian museums, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of the American Indian, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Air and Space Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.
In March, Trump signed an executive order directing Vice President JD Vance and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to “remove improper ideology” from all Smithsonian institutions.
Last week, ABC News toured both the National Museum of American History and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, documenting exhibits centered on slavery, segregation, and the civil rights movement.
Exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History.
Exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History.
Exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History.