The Smithsonian Institution gave the White House new documents on its planned exhibits on Tuesday in response to a demand for more precise details about what the museums and other programs are doing for the nation’s 250th birthday, the Associated Press reported.
The report said President Donald Trump has been pressing the Smithsonian to back off what the White House described as “divisive narratives” and to tell an upbeat story about the country’s history and culture, including a threat to hold back federal money if the institution does not comply. The Smithsonian runs 21 museums and a zoo in Washington that the report described as among the most popular tourist destinations.
According to the AP account, Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III told staff in an email obtained by The New York Times and The Washington Post that, “we transmitted more information in response to that request.” The White House did not respond to a request for comment, leaving unclear whether it was satisfied with the material it received. Bunch indicated there was more to come, saying the institution will continue to engage in providing “relevant and appropriate materials.”
The report said Smithsonian was supposed to provide lists of all displays, objects, wall text and other material dedicated to this year’s anniversary and other purposes. It said the ultimatum was laid out in a Dec. 18 letter to Bunch from White House budget director Russell Vought and domestic policy director Vince Haley.
The AP reported that the Dec. 18 letter said, “We wish to be assured that none of the leadership of the Smithsonian museums is confused about the fact that the United States has been among the greatest forces for good in the history of the world.” It also said the letter told the Smithsonian that Americans “will have no patience for any museum that is diffident about America’s founding or otherwise uncomfortable conveying a positive view of American history, one which is justifiably proud of our country’s accomplishments and record.”
The report said the Smithsonian is not a federal entity but receives a majority of its funding from Congress. It also said the White House initially asked for all relevant materials in September but later said the documents turned over by the Smithsonian fell far short of what it requested.
The AP described the pressure in the context of Trump’s wider effort to reshape the historical narrative at cultural institutions. It said that in a March executive order, Trump claimed there had been a “concerted and widespread” effort over the past decade to rewrite American history by replacing “objective facts” with a “distorted narrative driven by ideology rather than truth.” The report said Trump tasked Vice President JD Vance with overseeing efforts to remove “improper ideology” from all areas of the institution, adding that Vance serves on the Smithsonian’s board.
The AP also reported that the Smithsonian and the White House did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday afternoon. It said historians and archivists have raised concerns that polishing the historical record to satisfy a president could undercut the role of evidence in how museums present the past.
Matthew Delmont, a history professor at Dartmouth College, told the AP that, “History is about evidence.” He continued, “It’s about welcoming complexity and nuance.” He added, “It’s not about crafting a single story that needs to make everyone feel happy.” The AP reported that Jim McSweeney, a retired archivist from the National Archives, said, “Here’s our history. Here’s our shared experience. We have to learn from it and never go back and try to whitewash or change anything based upon your political leanings.”
The report said Trump’s approach to institutional history has included changes at other government-linked cultural venues. It reported that references to Trump’s two impeachments have been removed from his photo portrait display at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in its “American Presidents” exhibition, while the text remained available online. It also said Trump fired the head archivist of the National Archives and said he was firing National Portrait Gallery director Kim Sajet; the report said Sajet maintained the backing of the Smithsonian’s governing board but ultimately resigned.
The AP said administration officials have framed the Smithsonian effort as work needed before the July 4 celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, describing it as a “singular opportunity” to justify confidence in the Smithsonian’s cultural institutions. The report said the Smithsonian review is part of a broader push by Trump against what he views as a too-liberal culture, including actions at other institutions such as the Kennedy Center and the creation of a “Presidential Walk of Fame” in the White House context.