President Trump — who frequently labels anything he dislikes as “fake news,” even when accurate — is now insisting that Smithsonian Institution museums reshape history to fit a version that erases America’s mistakes.
This is a troubling assault on truth, reminiscent of authoritarian regimes. It evokes George Orwell’s dystopian vision in “1984,” where a totalitarian government censors the present and rewrites the past to suit the whims of Big Brother.
Trump, seemingly positioning himself as the Big Brother of 2025, has taken it upon himself to decide what is appropriate for display in national museums.
Like the authoritarian leaders he admires, Trump appears to crave unchecked control over every aspect of American life. He seeks to dictate not only what the Smithsonian presents, but also what the media reports through lawsuits and restricted access, what foreign leaders do via tariffs, and what universities teach by threatening billions in federal funding.
He has even deployed National Guard troops to cities like Washington and Los Angeles for imagined crises and launched what he calls the largest deportation program in U.S. history targeting unauthorized immigrants.
Meanwhile, Republicans in Congress have failed to act as a check on Trump’s overreach, allowing the nation to function as an authoritarian democracy — at least until Democrats gain control of one chamber.
Trump’s current target: the Smithsonian museums. He wants them to present history as he envisions it, rather than as it truly unfolded.
His version glorifies the U.S., erasing dark chapters such as slavery, discrimination against Black Americans, the seizure of Native American lands in violation of treaties, the unprovoked war against Mexico, the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, and the long denial of women’s voting and other rights.
In an Aug. 12 letter to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch, administration officials demanded a “comprehensive internal review” of eight museums to ensure alignment with the president’s directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove “divisive or partisan narratives,” and restore trust in the nation’s cultural institutions.
The review will assess current and planned exhibits, particularly those for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. It will also examine websites, educational materials, and digital and social media content to ensure historical framing aligns with American ideals.
This letter follows a March executive order in which Trump denounced “a concerted and widespread effort to rewrite our nation’s history … as inherently racist, sexist, oppressive, or otherwise irredeemably flawed.” The order appointed Vice President JD Vance to lead an effort to remove “improper ideology” from all Smithsonian museums, research centers, and the National Zoo.
What counts as “improper ideology”? According to this administration, whatever Trump decides it is.
The letter also instructs museums to submit documentation of their collections and implement content changes within 120 days, replacing “divisive or ideologically driven language” with “unifying, historically accurate and constructive descriptions.”
We do not need political appointees dictating how the Smithsonian presents history, science, and art. These institutions are staffed by nonpartisan experts who are trained to handle these matters responsibly.
Trump, who has called for an end to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, has already shown a willingness to distort history by denying systemic racism and downplaying slavery’s legacy.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture, for instance, chronicles both the oppression Black Americans have faced and the achievements they have made in government, education, science, business, entertainment, sports, and beyond. It is a national treasure offering lessons all Americans should learn — and no president should have the authority to dictate its exhibits.
Beyond politicizing museum content, Trump’s intervention could set a costly precedent: will the Smithsonian have to redesign exhibits every time a new administration takes office to satisfy ideological demands?
I agree with Trump that America is an extraordinary nation. I am grateful to live here. But no nation is perfect, and America is no exception.
The president has a long list of pressing responsibilities. Overseeing Smithsonian exhibits is not one of them. The nation does not need a curator-in-chief in the Oval Office.
