Key facts
- A White House report labels Smithsonian leadership as "radical activists" untrustworthy to present American history.
- The report, from the White House Domestic Policy Council, suggests President Donald Trump may replace current leadership.
- The criticism focuses on the National Museum of American History's interpretive ideology and programming.
- The report is part of a broader effort by Trump to reshape cultural institutions he deems too liberal.
- Critics, including Governor Josh Shapiro, accuse the administration of attempting to "rewrite history."
A White House report released on Independence Day has branded the leadership of the Smithsonian Institution, particularly at the National Museum of American History, as "radical activists" who cannot be trusted to present American history accurately. The report, issued by the White House Domestic Policy Council, suggests that President Donald Trump may be preparing to install his own team at the institution as part of his broader campaign to reshape cultural and historic institutions he views as too liberal.
The report states that the Smithsonian, and the National Museum of American History specifically, under its current leadership and interpretive ideology, has moved away from straightforward historical education and scholarship towards "extreme political activism." The authors contend that the museum "confronts visitors with materials intended to undermine faith in American institutions and the longstanding shared ideals of the American people."
This move by the Trump administration follows similar efforts to influence cultural narratives, including his attempt to overhaul programming at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the administration's actions regarding interpretive panels at President George Washington's home, which critics argue downplay the history of slavery.
Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania accused Trump and his allies of attempting to "rewrite history," emphasizing the importance of sharing the full historical narrative for Americans to draw their own conclusions and build a better path forward. Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch, the institution's first African American leader, stated his motivation is to make historical aspirations accessible to a wide range of people and to understand how history shapes the nation.