The Donald Trump administration has ordered a sweeping review of eight major Smithsonian museums to ensure their exhibits align with the president’s vision of American history. The White House sent an official letter on August 12, 2025, to Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III demanding changes to museum content ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations in 2026.
The review targets some of America’s most visited museums, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of American History, and the National Portrait Gallery. White House officials want to examine all public content, from wall text and educational materials to social media posts and upcoming exhibitions.
The administration plans to remove what it calls “divisive” facts of African American History that don’t match Trump’s “interpretation of American history.” The White House letter states the review 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.”
Museums must submit materials within strict deadlines
The letter sets out a detailed timeline for the review process. Within 30 days, museums must provide current exhibition materials, plans for 250th anniversary programming, and internal guidelines. They must also designate staff members to work with the White House review team.
Museums have 75 days to submit additional documentation, including grant applications, educational materials, and information about partnerships with outside organizations. The review will also examine how museums select artwork and approve exhibitions.
The most significant deadline comes at 120 days. By then, museums must “begin implementing content corrections where necessary, replacing divisive or ideologically driven language with unifying, historically accurate, and constructive descriptions.” A final report is expected in early 2026.
The Trump administration plans to review all exhibits and materials from the National Museum of African American History to ensure they align with Trump's "interpretation of American history." pic.twitter.com/u4kpgWFFRz
— FactPost (@factpostnews) August 12, 2025
The Smithsonian Institution runs 21 museums and the National Zoo, attracting millions of visitors each year. The National Museum of American History alone recorded 2 million visits in 2024. All the museums under review offer free admission and are located in Washington, DC.
This review follows earlier controversy at the Smithsonian, adding to the growing list of Trump-related controversies that have dominated headlines. In early August 2025, the National Museum of American History removed references to Trump’s two impeachments from an exhibit about American presidents. The museum said the removal was for consistency reasons and denied it was pressured by the administration.
The move has drawn criticism from lawmakers and experts. The Congressional Black Caucus called the administration’s efforts “whitewashing our nation’s history” and described the rhetoric as “blatantly racist.” Georgetown University professor Lisa Strong said museums “cannot change content to suit a political whim or agenda.”
The review stems from Trump’s March 2025 executive order called “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” The order claimed the Smithsonian had been influenced by “a divisive, race-centered ideology” in recent years. The administration argues that American museums should focus on celebrating the country’s achievements rather than highlighting divisions, part of a broader effort to control how information is presented to the public.
The Smithsonian responded that its work “is grounded in a deep commitment to scholarly excellence, rigorous research, and the accurate, factual presentation of history.” The institution said it would review the White House letter while maintaining its commitment to nonpartisan education and historical accuracy.
