Trump has signed an executive order aimed at the Smithsonian Institution, focusing on removing perceived anti-American ideologies from its museums and centers as part of a broader cultural initiative.
Trump Targets Smithsonian Museums Over 'Anti-American Ideology'

Trump Targets Smithsonian Museums Over 'Anti-American Ideology'
President's executive order seeks to reshape cultural narratives and restrict federal funding for divisive content.
US President Donald Trump has taken a significant step to influence cultural narratives by signing an executive order aimed at the Smithsonian Institution. This institution, which encompasses over 20 museums and research centers in Washington, D.C., and New York City, draws millions of visitors each year. The newly signed order mandates the vice president to remove what Trump describes as "improper, divisive, or anti-American ideology" from the exhibits of the Smithsonian's museums and its National Zoo.
In addition, Trump’s directive requires the secretary of the interior to restore any federal properties, including parks, memorials, and statues, that have allegedly been altered or removed in a purported effort to distort historical truths. The executive order, titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," seeks to reinforce Trump's agenda of reshaping American heritage.
Vice President JD Vance, who has joined the Smithsonian Board of Regents due to his governmental role, has been tasked with leading the initiative to purge the Smithsonian's content. The order stipulates that Congress should refrain from funding any Smithsonian exhibits or programs perceived to divide Americans based on race.
The executive directive specifically critiques the planned American Women's History Museum for allegedly attempting to "recognize men as women," and calls out the National Museum of African American History and Culture for suggesting that values like hard work and individualism are attributes tied to "White culture." The National Museum opened in 2016, coinciding with the departure of former President Barack Obama, who was the first African American to hold the presidency.
The Smithsonian chain includes renowned establishments such as the National Museum of American History, the National Portrait Gallery, and various others, attracting approximately 15 to 30 million visitors each year. The recent order also entails directions for Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to complete restorations at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, in anticipation of the building's 250th anniversary related to the Declaration of Independence.
Trump's move forms part of his broader strategy to counter what he perceives as the intrusion of "woke" leftist ideologies into American culture. The president's actions have previously included efforts to undermine diversity, equity, and inclusion programs within federal government entities, some of which have faced legal opposition. In an earlier controversial decision, he dismissed the board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. and personally assumed the role of chairman, a decision that drew backlash from notable figures in the performing arts community.