The White House says Smithsonians must “celebrate American exceptionalism”
The White House put new pressure on the Smithsonian agency on Tuesday, saying it would review the promises of 19 Smithsonian Museums in a letter to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III.
The museums are already the target of President Donald Trump and other senior White House officials, who have published an op-ed that specifically calls for the removal of all Smithsonian Museums’ “anti-American ideology.” But this letter was originally written by Wall Street Journalsuggesting that Trump is now planning to take responsibility for the Smithsonians with greater strength.
Texts and exhibitions will be reviewed by the White House, and grants from artists and collections will be made.
The letter reportedly said: “This initiative is to ensure consistency with the President’s directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, to eliminate separatist or partisan narratives, and to restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions.”
The letter was signed by Lindsey Halligan, senior White House assistant; Vince Haley, director of the Domestic Policy Committee; and Russ Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget. Halligan said in a statement Wall Street Journal Smithsonian’s speeches must be “accurate, patriotic and inspiring – to make sure they remain places for learning, wonder and national pride.”
according to Wall Street Journal19 museums include three institutions focusing mainly on art: the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Hilshhorn Museum and the Sculpture Garden. It also includes the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the National Museum of American Indians, both of which incorporate artworks into their historical exhibitions.
Trump has explicitly targeted the Smithsonian American Art Gallery and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, claiming that their performances constitute evidence that the Smithsonians are “influenced by separatist, race-centered ideology.”
Meanwhile, the National Portrait Gallery made headlines last month when Amy Sherald canceled a planned version of the museum’s travel survey version. Sherald said she was under scrutiny from the museum, which she said would allow her to delete a painting of a black trans woman, the Statue of Liberty.
The National Museum of History has also been under scrutiny for editing the exhibition, which previously included references to Trump’s impeachment. The mechanism then repositions the display on the view – with the text changed.
Such review of these agencies is well known and the Smithsonians say they will agree to comply with such reviews. But it is not clear what form the comment will take so far. according to Wall Street Journalthe review will be completed in early 2026.
