Trump Targets Smithsonian Over ‘Divisive’ Museum Exhibits/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump’s administration has launched a review of the Smithsonian’s Entertainment Nation exhibit, accusing it of promoting divisive political narratives. Displays reframing icons like Mickey Mouse and The Lone Ranger through critical lenses sparked White House objections. The Smithsonian defends its scholarship but confirms ongoing content assessments.
Trump-Smithsonian Clash Quick Looks
- Trump admin slams Smithsonian’s “one-sided, divisive narratives.”
- Entertainment Nation exhibit scrutinized for political messaging.
- Displays critique cultural icons like Mickey Mouse, Lone Ranger.
- White House demands Smithsonian reflect America’s founding ideals.
- Smithsonian affirms commitment to rigorous, unbiased history.
- Full Smithsonian content audit already underway.
- Debate echoes Trump’s broader cultural reshaping efforts.
Deep Look
Trump Administration Accuses Smithsonian of Pushing Divisive Narratives, Demands Content Overhaul
President Donald Trump’s administration has set its sights on the Smithsonian Institution, accusing the taxpayer-funded museum complex of promoting politically charged and divisive narratives instead of celebrating American achievements.
At the center of the storm is the Entertainment Nation exhibit at the National Museum of American History. Launched in 2022, the permanent exhibit explores American pop culture and its role in shaping national identity. Yet critics—including the White House—say many of its displays deliver a one-sided, politically critical perspective that paints American history in a negative light.
Cultural Icons Under Fire
“American taxpayers should not be funding institutions that undermine our country or promote one-sided, divisive political narratives. The Smithsonian Institution should present history in a way that is accurate, balanced, and consistent with the values that make the United States of America exceptional.”
Some of the exhibit’s most controversial elements include:
- A panel describing early U.S. entertainment as marked by “extraordinary violence.”
- A display asserting circus acts expressed “the colonial impulse to claim dominion over the world.”
- Commentary suggesting The Lone Ranger reflects how the U.S. government viewed itself as the global “Lone Ranger.”
- A critical examination of Mickey Mouse’s debut, linking the character’s design elements to blackface minstrel traditions.
- Reflections on Indiana Jones as embodying Reagan-era righteousness, with references to the “Are you better off?” speech.
- Displays highlighting figures like Selena Quintanilla-Pérez in the context of identity politics, discussing her impact on Mexican American and Latinx visibility.
Smithsonian Defends Scholarship
“The museum is committed to continuous and rigorous scholarship and research and unbiased presentation of facts and history. As such, and as previously announced, we are assessing content in Smithsonian museums and will make any necessary changes to ensure our content meets our standards.”
However, the institution declined to answer specific questions about who authored the Entertainment Nation exhibit, whether external consultants influenced its content, or why all exhibit text is presented bilingually in English and Spanish.
Trump’s Broader Cultural Agenda
The controversy forms part of Trump’s wider campaign to reshape American cultural institutions. In March, he signed an executive order directing the Smithsonian’s Board of Regents to eliminate “improper, divisive or anti-American ideology.” He accused the institution of participating in a “revisionist movement” that casts America’s history and achievements in an unjustly negative light.
Vice President J.D. Vance and Congressman Carlos Giménez—both newly appointed Regents—have pressed for swift action. Tensions reportedly surfaced during the Regents’ June meeting about the pace of changes, although a compromise was ultimately reached.
Full Content Review Underway
Halligan confirmed that a thorough review of Smithsonian content is already in progress:
“We are working with leadership at the Smithsonian to audit and review all content at the museums, and we are committed to ensuring that such content honors our country’s founding principles, tells the stories of American heroes, and does not promote fringe or activist ideologies.”
The Smithsonian receives around two-thirds of its roughly $1 billion annual budget from federal appropriations, placing it under significant political scrutiny.
A Clash Over Cultural Narratives
While the Smithsonian’s Entertainment Nation exhibit was designed to show how pop culture shapes and reflects American identity, the Trump administration argues that it instead uses cultural artifacts to promote ideological viewpoints many Americans reject.
“Americans deserve a Smithsonian that inspires national pride, tells the truth, and reflects the greatness of this country,” Halligan said. “Not one that serves as an agent for social change and cultural subversion.”
The dispute underscores a broader battle over how American history—and its cultural icons—should be interpreted and presented to the public. For now, all eyes remain on the Smithsonian’s forthcoming audit results, which could reshape exhibits and narrative choices for years to come.
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