Weird Al Pauses Smithsonian Exhibit Plans as Museum Undergoes Major Review originally appeared on Parade.
Weird Al Yankovichas decided to press pause on an upcoming Smithsonian exhibit about him as the institution undergoes an internal review prompted by President Donald Trump’s executive order “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.”
Why Weird Al Is Waiting Before Donating to the Smithsonian
“I was getting ready to donate [the orange Hawaiian shirt I wore in the movie UHF] to the Smithsonian,” Yankovic, 65, said in an interview with Vulture published on Wednesday, August 13. “I had several things I was going to give to the museum because it requested it for a ‘Weird Al’ exhibit.”
The ‘80s comedic icon continued, “I’m putting that on hold because, as you may have heard, the Smithsonian is going through some changes right now, and I’m waiting until the dust settles. So it may or may not ever make its way there, but it’s certainly the most prized shirt of my life.”
Several people applauded Al for his decision, and one person wrote in the Weird Al subreddit, “I love Weird Al. What a great person.”
Another added, “Al is a good guy, no wonder he’s distancing himself.”
How the Smithsonian’s New Review Process Works
Earlier this year on March 27, Trump, 79, signed an executive order which stated that “the Smithsonian Institution has, in recent years, come under the influence of a divisive, race-centered ideology,” according to the White House website. The current administration felt that the exhibits “promoted narratives that portray American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive.” Vice President J.D. Vance will be leading the review of Smithsonian exhibits under Trump’s new executive order, which sets guidelines for how they believe American history should be presented.
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The review of exhibits at the institution started on Wednesday, August 13, and materials have to be submitted by September 12. Over the next 75 days, curators will be interviewed and the content will be further assessed by a White House-appointed review team led by Vice President Vance. The museums are then expected to begin implementing changes within 120 days of the start date. However, there is no public closure currently planned, so exhibits will remain open during the process.
Weird Al Pauses Smithsonian Exhibit Plans as Museum Undergoes Major Review first appeared on Parade on Aug 14, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
