Trump signs executive order related to Smithsonian Institution, White House says
The order targets sidewalks outside the museum and directs visitors to White House materials and a temporary exhibit correcting disputed history.
- On Friday, President Donald Trump ordered the National Park Service to install signs in front of the Smithsonian Institution's U.S. history museum, directing visitors to a White House report and claiming current exhibits are inaccurate.
- This directive follows a July 4 Domestic Policy Council report asserting that the Smithsonian and National Museum of American History fail to present history in a way that is "inspiring, unifying, and worthy of our great republic."
- Because the Smithsonian Institution operates independently under Secretary Lonnie Bunch and a Board of Regents, Anthea Hartig, director of the National Museum of American History, disputed the White House report's characterization of museum work.
- Advocates and academics fear the order pressures the museum to downplay the nation's past, mirroring a Philadelphia court ruling last week allowing the administration to reinstall interpretive panels critics argue "whitewash" the history of slavery at President George Washington's home.
- Trump's push reflects a broader Republican effort to transform cultural institutions like the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, including his previous attempt to install himself as chairman, later challenged by a federal judge.
239 Articles
239 Articles
The Smithsonian Is Not the President's Museum
In 1846, the Smithsonian Institution was established, in the words of its benefactor and namesake, British scientist James Smithson, “for the increase & diffusion of Knowledge among men.” Today, the 21 museums centered in Washington, DC, and more than 200 affiliates throughout the United States, have indeed increased and diffused knowledge in the maintenance of an astounding 157 million objects. Along with the preservation and distribution of kn…
Helena Independent Record
Trump orders signs outside history museum
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has directed federal officials to install signs outside the Smithsonian's flagship National Museum of American History to reflect his administration's criticism of how the institution portrays the United States.
Culpeper Star-Exponent
Trump orders new signs outside history museum
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has directed federal officials to install signs outside the Smithsonian's flagship National Museum of American History to reflect his administration's criticism of how the institution portrays the United States.
The last crusade against culture with the installation of notices denouncing the radical ideology of the historic institution
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 59% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
