President Donald Trump has issued an executive order that instructs the Smithsonian Institution to remove what he deems as ‘improper ideology’ from its exhibits. The directive, signed on March 27, aims to eliminate what Trump perceives as divisive narratives from Smithsonian museums, research centers, and the National Zoo. Trump’s order tasks Vice President J.D. Vance, a member of the Smithsonian Institution’s Board of Regents, with overseeing this ideological purge. The executive order argues that the Smithsonian, once revered for promoting American excellence and cultural achievements, has recently adopted what Trump describes as a divisive, race-centered ideology. The shift in focus, according to the order, has led to the promotion of narratives that depict American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive.
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The National Museum of African American History and Culture and the American Women’s History Museum have been singled out in the executive order as examples of facilities that, in Trump’s view, contribute to the division of Americans through their exhibitions. Specifically mentioned is an exhibit at the American Art Museum called “The Shape of Power: Stories of Race and American Sculpture,” which explores how sculpture has influenced attitudes and perceptions regarding race in the United States. The order directs Vance and Russell Vought, who now leads Trump’s Office of Management and Budget, to not only remove existing ‘improper ideology’ but also ensure that future funding for the Smithsonian does not support exhibits or programs that undermine American values, promote racial division, or conflict with federal laws and policies.
Furthermore, Trump’s order tasks Vice President J.D. Vance with ensuring that the American Women’s History Museum celebrates the achievements of women without recognising men as women in any aspect. This directive aligns with a previous executive order from January 20, which emphasised acknowledging only two sexes—male and female—based on individuals’ assigned sex at birth. Trump’s move to exert control over the Smithsonian mirrors his recent actions involving the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where he assumed leadership after removing Democratic appointees from the institution’s board and selecting new members aligned with his agenda.
Trump’s order also hints at a possible initiative to restore monuments honouring Confederate leaders that have been removed in response to Black Lives Matter protests. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has been instructed to assess whether historical properties under the Department of the Interior’s jurisdiction have been altered since January 1, 2020, to perpetuate what Trump views as a distorted version of American history or improper partisan ideologies. Burgum is directed to reinstate any monuments or memorials that were removed and ensure that these properties focus on acknowledging the achievements and progress of the American people without disparaging past or present Americans.
In response to Trump’s latest decree, criticisms have emerged regarding the perceived politicisation of cultural institutions and the erasure of diverse perspectives from American history. The move has sparked concerns about the impact on historical accuracy, academic freedom, and the representation of marginalized communities within museum spaces. Trump’s influence over the Smithsonian and potential restoration of Confederate monuments illustrate his administration’s approach to reshaping the cultural landscape of the United States based on his interpretation of history and values.