Trump Seeks to Showcase “American Exceptionalism” at the Smithsonian: Prospects Evaluated

The Trump administration has announced a comprehensive internal review of the Smithsonian Institution, focusing on its exhibitions, curatorial processes, educational materials, and programming related to the 250th anniversary of the United States. This initiative, driven by a White House letter to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch, aims to ensure alignment with the President’s directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive narratives, and restore confidence in cultural institutions.

In the coming months, the administration plans to conduct site visits to several Smithsonian museums to assess themes, visitor experiences, and visual messaging. The review targets exhibitions under the semiquincentennial programming, such as “Our Shared Future: 250,” which includes displays on the Declaration of Independence and other significant events from American history.

The administration has requested extensive documentation from the Smithsonian, including an index of collection items and online exhibition descriptions. Within four months, the Smithsonian is expected to implement content revisions to promote unifying themes.

The Smithsonian, committed to scholarly excellence and accurate historical representation, is reviewing the letter while maintaining dialogue with the White House and Congress. Some Congressional Democrats and organizations like PEN America have expressed concerns over potential political manipulation of the institution’s content.