White House to conduct sweeping review of Smithsonian Museums

In preparation for the nation’s 250th birthday next year, the White House announced Tuesday that it will conduct an extensive review of all exhibitions, materials, and operations at Smithsonian museums. Administration officials say the move reflects President Trump’s commitment to restoring “truth and sanity” to American history by removing what the administration describes as unwanted ideology and political bias from the nation’s most prominent cultural institution.

In a letter sent to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch, the White House detailed a multi-stage process for all 21 Smithsonian museums to submit materials for review. The evaluation will cover nearly every aspect of the Institution’s work — from exhibit text and signage to online content, educational materials, and “narrative standards” that guide curatorial decisions.

Officials say the review will include “a series of interviews with curators and senior staff to better understand the selection process, exhibition approval workflows, and any frameworks currently guiding exhibition content.” Special emphasis will be placed on exhibitions planned for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.

The initiative stems from a March 27 executive order signed by Trump titled Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History. The order denounced what it called “an effort to rewrite our Nation’s history” with narratives “driven by ideology rather than truth,” accusing the Smithsonian of promoting historical revisionism and “race-centered ideology” in recent years.

“Once widely respected as a symbol of American excellence and a global icon of cultural achievement,” Trump wrote in the order, “the Smithsonian Institution has, in recent years, come under the influence of a divisive, race-centered ideology… This shift has promoted narratives that portray American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive.”

The order directs Vice President J.D. Vance, who serves on the Smithsonian Board of Regents, to carry out its policies and recommend additional actions.

The Smithsonian had already begun its own internal review in June, assessing museum and National Zoo content for political bias. According to a spokesperson, the Board of Regents instructed the secretary to make “needed changes to ensure unbiased content,” which could include personnel adjustments.

It remains unclear whether the new White House review will override or work alongside the Smithsonian’s internal process.

In its letter, the White House described the effort as intended “to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions.” The letter stressed that the goal is “not to interfere with the day-to-day operations of curators or staff,” but rather to support a “historically accurate, uplifting, and inclusive” portrayal of U.S. heritage.

Museums have 30 days to submit initial materials for review, with all requested materials due within 75 days. The White House expects museums to begin implementing “content corrections” within 120 days, replacing “divisive or ideologically driven language” with “unifying, historically accurate, and constructive descriptions.” A final report is expected in early 2026.

The review will begin with eight high-profile museums:

National Museum of American History

National Museum of Natural History

National Museum of African American History and Culture

National Museum of the American Indian

National Air and Space Museum

Smithsonian American Art Museum

National Portrait Gallery

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

This latest initiative follows earlier clashes between Trump and the Smithsonian leadership. In May, Trump sought to remove longtime National Portrait Gallery director Kim Sajet, citing disagreements over the museum’s direction. The Smithsonian’s Board of Regents pushed back, affirming that personnel decisions fall under the secretary’s authority. Sajet later resigned, calling it the best way to “serve the institution I hold so deeply in my heart.”

Secretary Bunch praised her decision, saying she had “put the needs of the Institution above her own.”

With the nation’s semiquincentennial approaching, the White House review is likely to spark renewed debate over the balance between historical interpretation and political influence in America’s cultural institutions.