Reference News Network, August 14 report - According to the Associated Press on August 12, the White House has ordered a comprehensive review of the Smithsonian Institution's museums and exhibitions before the United States' 250th anniversary (July 4, 2026 - note from this newspaper), in order to ensure that the content displayed by the institution is consistent with President Trump's interpretation of American history.
In a letter dated August 12 to the head of the Smithsonian Institution, Lenny Bernstein, the White House detailed the actions it hopes the organization will take. The letter stated that the review will focus on all content facing the public, such as social media, exhibition introductions, and educational materials, to "assess tone, historical framework, and consistency with American ideals."
The letter said: "The plan aims to ensure alignment with the President's instructions, to celebrate the American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our common cultural institutions."
The Smithsonian Institution said it still adheres to "academic excellence, meticulous research, and an accurate and truthful presentation of history."
The institution said in a statement: "We are assessing this letter with such persistence and will continue to engage in constructive cooperation with the White House, Congress, and the board members who manage us."
This review is the latest effort by the president to align American cultural institutions with his views. In March this year, Trump signed an executive order titled "Restoring the Truth and Reason of American History," accusing the Smithsonian Institution of being influenced by "divisive, race-centered ideologies" and calling for the removal of "inappropriate ideas" from its museums.
In February this year, Trump dissolved the board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and replaced its members with his supporters, appointing himself as chairman. He vowed to stop hosting events highlighting cross-dressers, stating that he himself would play a greater role in deciding the programming of the institution.
The initial review of the Smithsonian Institution will focus on eight museums - the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of the American Indian, the National Air and Space Museum, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Hirschhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.
The letter said more museums will be reviewed in subsequent stages.
Civil rights leaders have criticized the government's particular focus on the National Museum of African American History and Culture as an effort to belittle the contributions of African Americans to the nation and to alter the obstacles they faced in history.
The White House-ordered review requires museums to submit exhibition materials and drafts of upcoming events within 30 days. The letter said it hopes museums will take corrective actions within 120 days, "replacing divisive or ideologically driven language with language that unites, accurately reflects history, and is constructive." (Translated by Yang Xinpeng)
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