The Trump administration is reviewing the Smithsonian Institution to ensure adherence with President Donald Trump’s executive order “restoring truth and sanity to American history.”
Trump has taken up several culture war issues since returning to the White House, attacking higher education institutions, targeting diversity efforts and installing himself as the chair of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
The review of the Smithsonian exhibits is expected to happen by the beginning of 2026, the year of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
“This initiative 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,” the letter sent to the institution’s secretary on Aug. 12 states.
But the review, as described in the letter, is starting with a select few museums. Which ones?
More: Smithsonian puts Trump’s name back in museum’s impeachment display – with changes
Smithsonian has 21 museums, federal funds make up majority of its budget
Founded in 1846, the Smithsonian is a public-private partnership established by Congress. It has 21 museums, 14 education and research centers and includes the National Zoo. Federal funds make up about 62% of its budget, according to the institution’s website. It is governed by a 17-member Board of Regents that includes Vice President JD Vance, Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts, six members of Congress and nine members of the public.
In a statement about the review, the Smithsonian said it would “continue to collaborate constructively with the White House.”
“The Smithsonian’s work 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,” the statement reads.
Trump review targeting these museums at the Smithsonian
The review will focus on Smithsonian exhibits, along with the process for creating them. It will initially focus on these museums, with more to be added at a later stage, according to the letter:
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
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
The other museums and attractions under the Smithsonian, according to the list on the website, are the African Art Museum, Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center, American Indian Museum New York, Anacostia Community Museum, Arts and Industries Building, Asian Art Museum Freer Gallery, Asian Art Museum Sackler Gallery, Cooper Hewitt Design Museum, Postal Museum, Renwick Gallery, Ripley Center, Smithsonian Castle, Smithsonian Gardens and the National Zoo.
More: Trump fires director of Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery for allegedly promoting DEI
Smithsonian restores Trump’s name in impeachment display
The review follows changes to some mentions of Trump in museum displays.
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History restored references to Trump after removing them from a presidential impeachment display in late July.
First reported by the Washington Post on July 31, changes to “The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden” entailed the total removal of what the museum called a temporary placard briefly covering Trump’s two impeachments in 2019 and 2021.
A more permanent display about the president has since been added, as have artifacts from the proceedings. Some text was changed between displays, specifically concerning Trump’s involvement with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and accusations of election interference.
The change was made because it “did not meet the museum’s standards in appearance,” the Smithsonian Institute said in an Aug. 2 statement, and denied to USA TODAY that it was asked by any government official to remove content.
Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at kcrowley@gannett.com. Follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky at @kinseycrowley.bsky.social.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump and the Smithsonian: Review follows impeachment exhibit changes
