The exterior of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, after the museum removed explicit reference to U.S. President Donald Trump from an exhibit about impeachment according to a spokesperson, in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 1, 2025.
Annabelle Gordon | Reuters
The White House told the Smithsonian Institution it will conduct a comprehensive review of Smithsonian museums and exhibits to “ensure alignment with” President Donald Trump’s “directive to celebrate American exceptionalism,” according to a letter Tuesday.
The White House’s letter directs eight Smithsonian museums to turn over materials within 30 days about any exhibits related to America’s 250th anniversary, other exhibits, and educational materials.
Within 120 days of receiving the letter, the museums are ordered to “begin implementing content corrections where necessary,” the letter to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch says.
The Smithsonian Institution has been a target of Trump’s, who earlier this year signed an executive order targeting the group of museums, writing that they had “come under the influence of a divisive, race-centered ideology.”
The letter on Tuesday says, “As we prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our Nation’s founding, it is more important than ever that our national museums reflect the unity, progress, and enduring values that define the American story.”
The review seeks 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,” according to the letter, which was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.
The Smithsonian defended its work in a statement, saying that it “is grounded in a deep commitment to scholarly excellence, rigorous research, and the accurate, factual presentation of history.”
“We are reviewing the letter with this commitment in mind and will continue to collaborate constructively with the White House, Congress, and our governing Board of Regents,” the Smithsonian said.
The museums that are subject to the initial review are the National Museum of American History, National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Museum of the American Indian, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Portrait Gallery, and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.
“Additional museums will be reviewed in Phase II,” the letter said.
The letter was signed by special assistant to the president Lindsey Halligan, director of the domestic policy council Vince Haley and Director of the Office of Management and Budget Russell Vought.
The letter comes weeks after the Smithsonian Institution scrubbed references to Trump’s two impeachments from an exhibit at the National Museum of American History, prompting concern that the museum was changing its content to appease the administration, CNN reported.
The materials were reinstalled following the backlash, but with changes made to the original text.
