On August 19, 2025, President Donald Trump ignited a fierce national debate after publicly criticizing the Smithsonian Institution—and, by extension, museums across the United States—for what he called an excessive focus on the darker chapters of American history, particularly slavery. In a pointed Truth Social post, Trump accused the Smithsonian of being "OUT OF CONTROL" and labeled museums as the "last remaining segment of WOKE." He further demanded that his attorneys conduct a sweeping review of museum content, echoing similar actions his administration has taken with colleges and universities in recent months.
Trump's post, which quickly reverberated through the media and cultural sectors, read: "The Smithsonian is OUT OF CONTROL, where everything discussed is how horrible our Country is, how bad Slavery was, and how unaccomplished the downtrodden have been — Nothing about Success, nothing about Brightness, nothing about the Future. We are not going to allow this to happen, and I have instructed my attorneys to go through the Museums, and start the exact same process that has been done with Colleges and Universities where tremendous progress has been made. This Country cannot be WOKE, because WOKE IS BROKE. We have the 'HOTTEST' Country in the World, and we want people to talk about it, including in our Museums." (NPR, CNN, Reuters)
The move comes on the heels of an August 12 letter from top White House aides to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III, which outlined a 120-day window for the institution to "update exhibits to reflect a unifying, historically accurate vision." The letter, reported by CNN and Reuters, detailed that the review would scrutinize public-facing content, curatorial processes, exhibition planning, and narrative standards. The White House said the initiative was intended "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."
This unprecedented review has raised alarms among museum professionals and civil rights advocates alike. Janet Marstine, a museum ethics expert quoted by CNN, warned that the demands placed on the Smithsonian were "an impossible task," noting, "Nobody could provide those kinds of materials in such a comprehensive way, in that short amount of time, and so it’s just an impossible task." The American Alliance of Museums, along with other historical associations, issued statements expressing concern about what they described as growing threats of censorship. In an August 15 statement, the AAM stressed, "These pressures can create a chilling effect across the entire museum sector. Freedom of thought and expression are foundational American values, and museums uphold them by creating spaces where people can engage with history, science, art, and culture in ways that are honest, fact-based, and thought-provoking." (NPR)
Trump’s directive is not limited to the Smithsonian. As reported by NPR, the president expanded his criticism to include museums nationwide, suggesting that the same scrutiny and review process would soon be applied beyond Washington, D.C. The White House confirmed this broader intent, stating, "President Trump will explore all options and avenues to get the Woke out of the Smithsonian and hold them accountable. He will start with the Smithsonian and then go from there."
The Smithsonian Institution, established in 1846 and comprising 21 museums and galleries plus the National Zoo, receives most of its budget from Congress but maintains operational independence. In response to the administration's actions, the Smithsonian emphasized its commitment to a nonpartisan and unbiased presentation of facts and history. In a statement to CNN in July, the institution said it would "make any necessary changes to ensure our content meets our standards." Still, the Smithsonian declined to comment directly on Trump’s latest remarks.
The president’s campaign against what he terms "woke" narratives in museums mirrors his recent actions against several prestigious universities. Last month, the government settled probes with Columbia University and Brown University, which agreed to pay $221 million and $50 million respectively, after accepting certain government demands. Talks to settle with Harvard University are ongoing, according to Reuters.
Trump’s executive order earlier this year put Vice President JD Vance, a member of the Smithsonian’s Board of Regents, in charge of efforts to halt government spending on exhibits not aligned with the administration’s agenda. Former Trump legal advisor Lindsey Halligan was also tasked with rooting out "improper ideology" at the Smithsonian, CNN reported.
The president’s critics, including civil rights organizations and prominent public figures, have not been silent. Tennis legend Martina Navratilova, herself an immigrant and a vocal advocate for social justice, responded swiftly on social media. In a sharp rebuke posted on August 19, she wrote, "As racist as always," making clear her view that Trump’s comments were both harmful and unjust. Her words, though brief, cut straight to the heart of the controversy, highlighting the deep divisions over how American history should be remembered and taught.
Civil rights advocates argue that the administration’s efforts are undermining decades of progress in acknowledging and learning from the nation’s most painful chapters. Black Lives Matter, for instance, stated on X (formerly Twitter) that Trump’s post showed a desire to "lock the country in a 'fairytale' and deny the atrocities of slavery." (Reuters)
At the same time, the White House has cast its actions as necessary to combat what it sees as an "anti-American ideology" and to restore pride in the nation’s achievements. The administration maintains that museums and schools should celebrate American exceptionalism and avoid narratives it considers divisive or partisan.
As the Smithsonian and other institutions brace for the coming review, museum professionals warn that the pressure could stifle open dialogue and honest engagement with history. Exhibits at the Smithsonian, for example, take years of planning and are reviewed by teams of scholars and curatorial experts. The sudden demand for a sweeping overhaul, many say, threatens the very mission of museums as places for reflection, learning, and sometimes uncomfortable truths.
The coming months will be critical as the Smithsonian navigates both the White House’s directives and the expectations of the American public. The debate over how history is told—and who gets to decide—shows no sign of fading, with both sides claiming to defend the nation’s values and future.
In the end, the Smithsonian’s struggle is emblematic of a broader American reckoning with its past, present, and the stories it chooses to tell. The outcome of this high-stakes confrontation may shape not only museum exhibits but also the way generations of Americans understand their country for years to come.
