Trump orders signs outside Smithsonian museum amid row over its depiction of American history

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House to hold hearing on Smithsonian Museum’s alleged attempts to rewrite American history

� Alex Hogan reports on a House Oversight Committee hearing regarding claims that the Smithsonian Institution’s exhibits are politically biased and attempt to rewrite American history.A White House report alleges the National Museum of American History disparages the nation’s past, prompting congressional scrutiny over its governance and stewardship of federal funds.

PresidentDonald Trumpon Friday ordered his administration to install signs outside the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History directing visitors to what the White House describes as “accurate” information about the nation’s past.

Theexecutive orderinstructs the National Park Service, which maintains the sidewalks outside the museum, to place signs informing visitors about a White House report released July 4 that criticized the Smithsonian’s portrayal of American history.Trump also directed the creation of a temporary exhibit intended to correct what his administration considers inaccurate historical information.

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The move follows a report from Trump’s Domestic Policy Council that accused the Smithsonian and the National Museum of American History of failing to present history “in a way that is inspiring, unifying, and worthy of our great republic.”

President Donald Trump holds up an executive order after signing it during an indoor inauguration parade at Capital One Arena on Jan.20, 2025 in Washington, DC.(Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Because the Smithsonian operates independently of the executive branch, Trump cannot directly remove museum leadership or unilaterally change exhibits.Instead, the order targets federal property outside the museum that falls under National Park Service jurisdiction.

National Museum of American History Director Anthea M.Hartig defended the museum duringcongressionaltestimony this week.

“As we continue to fact check the report, we unwaveringly attest that it does not fairly or accurately characterize the full body of work at the museum,” Hartig told lawmakers.“There is always room for improvement.But I also know the beauty and the inspiration and the expertise that lies in our collections, our exhibits, and our programming.”

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Smithsonian's National Museum of American History seen from the Washington Monument

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History is being called out for being ‘ideologically captured’ and presenting woke revisionist history on the weekend of America’s 250th birthday.(Kevin Carter)

Friday’s order builds onTrump’s broader effortto reshape the Smithsonian’s exhibits.

In March, Trump signed an executive order directing the Smithsonian’s Board of Regents to eliminate what the administration described as “improper,divisive or anti-American ideology” from the institution’s museums.

The White House later criticized the National Museum of American History’s “Entertainment Nation” exhibit, arguing displays about American pop culture framed the nation’s history through an ideological lens rather than celebrating its achievements.�American taxpayers should not be funding institutions that undermine our country or promote one-sided, divisive political narratives.”

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People walk on the National Mall near the Smithsonian Castle in Washington, D.C., on May 10, 2021.President Donald Trump has ordered signs installed outside the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History directing visitors to a White House report criticizing the museum’s portrayal of American history.(MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

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At the time, the Smithsonian said it wasconducting a review of museum contentand remained committed to “continuous and rigorous scholarship and research and unbiased presentation of facts and history.”

The Smithsonian is overseen by a Board of Regents that includes Vice President JD Vance, Chief Justice John Roberts, members of Congress and citizen regents.The institution receives roughly two-thirds of its approximately $1 billion annual budget through federal appropriations.

�s Jasmine Baehr contributed to this report.