President Donald Trump has taken a significant step toward influencing American culture through an executive order directed at the Smithsonian Institution, which encompasses over 20 renowned museums and research centers across Washington, D.C., and New York City. This move, described as a strategy to rid the institution of "anti-American ideology," delegates tasks to high-ranking officials, including the Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum.
The order, aptly titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," aims to ensure that federal funding will not support Smithsonian exhibits or programs that, according to Trump, risk dividing Americans along racial lines. Among the targets of this order is the American Women’s History Museum, which Trump claims may unnecessarily acknowledge gender identity complexities. Additionally, the National Museum of African American History and Culture is criticized for its discourse on hard work and traditional family structures being labelled as "White culture."
The Smithsonian Institution, which sees an annual footfall of approximately 15 to 30 million visitors, includes key attractions such as the National Museum of American History and the National Portrait Gallery. Trump's actions also entail directives for the restoration of historical sites, like Independence Hall in Philadelphia, in anticipation of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
This executive action reflects Trump's ongoing efforts to combat what he refers to as "woke" ideologies that have infiltrated various facets of American life, including federal programs surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion. His approach has already led to contentious outcomes, as seen in his earlier decisions relating to cultural institutions like the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which faced backlash from the artistic community.
As the dialogue over what constitutes American history continues to unfold, Trump's order signifies a pivotal moment in the intersection of politics and cultural representation, prioritizing a historical narrative aligned with his political vision.
