Donald Trump Directs Smithsonian to Align Exhibits with His Vision of American History. In a significant move that has drawn national attention, former President Donald Trump has instructed the Smithsonian Institution to review and revise its museum exhibits to better reflect his vision of American history. This directive comes in the wake of an executive order issued by Trump in March 2025, titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” which emphasizes the need to promote a more “unifying and patriotic” narrative across federally funded cultural institutions.

A formal letter sent by the White House to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch called for the removal of content deemed “divisive” or “ideologically driven,” encouraging instead the inclusion of language that is described as “unifying, historically accurate, and celebratory of America’s founding values.” The administration requested that the Smithsonian submit an initial report within 30 days, outlining current exhibits, educational materials, and curatorial practices, with recommendations for adjustments in line with the executive order.

The Smithsonian Institution, which oversees 21 museums, the National Zoo, and multiple research centers, responded by reaffirming its commitment…