US President Donald Trump has taken a significant step with the signing of an executive order aimed at the Smithsonian Institution, which encompasses over 20 museums and research centers frequented by millions of visitors in Washington D.C. and New York City. This order instructs the vice president to work towards eliminating what the administration terms "improper, divisive, or anti-American ideology" from the exhibitions of the Smithsonian museums, its centers, and even the National Zoo located in Washington.
The initiative, titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," signifies Trump's larger ambition to influence the cultural landscape alongside political issues. The executive order indicates that Vice-President JD Vance, who holds a seat on the Smithsonian Board of Regents, will spearhead this effort.
According to the order, funding from Congress for Smithsonian exhibits that could "divide Americans by race" should be curtailed. An extensive claim against the American Women's History Museum, still under development, suggests it intends to incorrectly "recognize men as women." Additionally, the order highlights concerns with the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which has been accused of labeling "hard work," "individualism," and "the nuclear family" as characteristics of "White culture." The museum, which opened in 2016 during the departure of former President Barack Obama, holds a prominent position in the national dialogue around race and identity.
The Smithsonian, attracting between 15 to 30 million visitors annually, operates 21 museums across Washington, Virginia, and New York, including notable venues such as the National Museum of American History and the National Zoo.
In conjunction with these efforts, Trump's order tasks Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum with restoring and enhancing Independence Hall in Philadelphia, aligning with preparations for the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence's signing, an event rooted in American history.
This initiative is part of Trump’s larger campaign to reshape the narrative surrounding American culture, which he claims has been compromised by "woke" leftist ideologies. His administration has previously seen challenges to various diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across the federal government in response to similar concerns. Notably, one of his earliest actions in office included dismissing the board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to assume the chairmanship, a move that incited backlash from the arts community, prompting several performers to cancel scheduled events.
