U.S. to probe Smithsonian museums to take away ‘partisan narratives’

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration mentioned on Tuesday (August 12, 2025) it had ordered a sweeping evaluate of some Smithsonian museums to make sure their exhibitions laud American exceptionalism and “remove divisive or partisan narratives.”

Mr. Trump has moved to say management over main American cultural establishments since beginning his second time period in January, whereas additionally slashing arts and humanities funding.

The Smithsonian is one in all America’s most hallowed establishments, with its huge community of museums boasting tens of thousands and thousands of artifacts for public show.

A letter to the establishment’s secretary Lonnie Bunch, revealed on the White House web site on Tuesday, mentioned the administration would perform a “comprehensive internal review of selected Smithsonian museums and exhibitions.”

“This initiative aims 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,” mentioned the letter, signed by three senior White House officers.

It will goal eight main museums, together with the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the National Museum of the American Indian, the letter mentioned.

The evaluate goals to evaluate “tone, historical framing, and alignment with American ideals” throughout exhibitions, instructional supplies and digital content material forward of the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding subsequent yr.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History eliminated final month a label referring to Trump’s two impeachments, a transfer its guardian establishment later denied got here underneath White House stress.

The evaluate requires that the museums submit in depth documentation — together with exhibition plans, wall textual content, instructional supplies, grant info and inside pointers — inside 30 days.

The Smithsonian didn’t reply instantly to AFP‘s request for remark.

It mentioned in an announcement to The New York Times that its “work is grounded in a deep commitment to scholarly excellence, rigorous research and the accurate, factual presentation of history.”

“We are reviewing the letter with this commitment in mind… and will continue to collaborate constructively with the White House, Congress and our governing Board of Regents,” it mentioned.