Trump’s Executive Order Targets Smithsonian Institution Funding

On Thursday, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at modifying funding for programs at the Smithsonian Institution, which he claims propagate “divisive, race-centered ideology.” This action represents his continued opposition to what he perceives as a liberal revision of American culture and values.

Allegations of a Distorted Narrative

The executive order alleges that there has been a “concerted and widespread” attempt over the past decade to alter American history by substituting “objective facts” with an “ideologically driven distorted narrative.” President Trump asserts that this narrative has depicted the foundational principles of the United States in a detrimental manner.

Smithsonian in the Crosshairs

In the order, Trump stated, “The Smithsonian Institution has, in recent years, come under the influence of a divisive, race-centered ideology.” He criticized an art exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum depicting race as a factor in establishing systems of power and privilege in the U.S.

Strategies for Oversight

The president has assigned Vice President JD Vance, a member of the Smithsonian Institution’s Board of Regents, the responsibility of ensuring that “improper ideology” is eradicated from all institution sectors. This includes museums, research centers, and even the National Zoo.

Broader Cultural Implications

This executive order is part of Trump’s broader campaign against various cultural institutions, including universities and art organizations, which he believes do not align with conservative values. Recently, he sought to reform programming at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and pressured Columbia University by threatening significant federal funding cuts unless institution policies were revised.

Monuments and Historical Revisionism

The order also suggests a potential reinstatement of Confederate statues, many of which were removed after George Floyd’s death in 2020 and the subsequent surge of the Black Lives Matter movement. Trump has instructed the Secretary of the Interior to investigate any public monuments removed since January 1, 2020, that may “perpetuate a false reconstruction of American history.”

Promoting Positive Representations

Additionally, the executive order outlines plans for enhancing Independence Hall in Philadelphia ahead of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026. Trump specifically called out three museums for scrutiny: the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Women’s History Museum, and the American Art Museum.

Reflections on Museum Roles

In his order, the president emphasized, “Museums in our Nation’s capital should be places where individuals go to learn — not to be subjected to ideological indoctrination or divisive narratives that distort our shared history.”

Future Funding Safeguards

Under the new directive, Vice President Vance will collaborate with the White House budget office to ensure that future funding for the Smithsonian is allocated in a way that does not “degrade shared American values” or promote ideologies inconsistent with federal law.

About the Smithsonian Institution

The Smithsonian Institution is the largest museum and education complex worldwide, encompassing 21 museums and the National Zoo. Founded by Congress with funds from James Smithson, a British scientist, the institution aims to advance and disseminate knowledge.

For more information on the Smithsonian Institution, visit their official website at si.edu.