President Trump’s sweeping Executive Order targeting the Smithsonian Institution will radically transform how American history is presented to the public after years of Woke revisions. The controversial directive puts Vice President JD Vance in charge of purging what Trump calls “improper, divisive or anti-American ideology” from the nation’s premier museum complex.
At a glance:
• Trump signed an Executive Order on March 27 targeting the Smithsonian Institution and national parks to remove “divisive ideology”
• Vice President JD Vance will lead efforts to eliminate exhibits deemed “anti-American” as a member of the Smithsonian Board of Regents
• Specific exhibitions on race, slavery, and protests are singled out as promoting “harmful” narratives about American history
• Critics warn this represents an authoritarian attempt to control historical narratives, while supporters argue it restores patriotic education
• The order comes ahead of America’s 250th anniversary, with Trump directing restoration of Independence Hall by July 4, 2026
Trump’s Order Targets “Divisive Ideology” at National Museums
A new Executive Order signed by President Donald Trump will direct the Smithsonian Institution to eliminate what Trump identifies as “improper, divisive or anti-American ideology” from its exhibits and programs. A viral video showing tourists reacting to the announcement has garnered over 144,000 views as Americans debate the implications of the presidential directive.
Trump’s order specifically targets exhibits related to race, slavery, and protests, including “The Shape of Power,” “In Slavery’s Wake,” and “Rallying against Racism.” The move is part of Trump’s broader effort to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs while promoting what he calls “patriotic” education across federal institutions.
Samuel Redman, a museum studies expert, called the order “a five-alarm fire for public history, science and education in America.” The Smithsonian, partially funded by the federal government, has faced political controversies before, notably the 1995 Enola Gay exhibition which drew criticism from veterans groups.
Vice President JD Vance, as a member of the Smithsonian Board of Regents, has been directed to lead efforts to eliminate what the administration deems divisive content. The White House fact sheet claims the institution has “come under the influence of a divisive, race-centered ideology” that requires immediate intervention.
Critics Fear Historical “Whitewashing” While Supporters Cheer “Restoration”
Woke Historians and museum professionals fear the order will lead to sanitized versions of American history that gloss over uncomfortable truths about racism and injustice. David Blight, a prominent historian, expressed concern about potential resignations among Smithsonian leadership, stating: “I hope he doesn’t resign but that’s probably what they want.”
The Executive Order specifically criticizes the National Museum of African American History and Culture for suggesting that concepts like “hard work,” “individualism,” and “the nuclear family” are aspects of “White culture.” Trump’s directive claims such exhibits promote narratives that “portray American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive.”
Supporters defend the order as necessary to restore pride in American history and counter what they see as ideological indoctrination. The White House fact sheet states the directive will ensure the Smithsonian “sparks children’s imagination, celebrates American history, and serves as a symbol of American greatness.”
The order also extends beyond museums to national parks and monuments, directing the Secretary of the Interior to “restore Federal parks, monuments, and similar properties that have been improperly altered in the past five years.” This includes preparations for America’s 250th anniversary celebration with specific restorations to Independence Hall to be completed by July 4, 2026.
Trump defended the order by stating: “Americans have witnessed a concerted and widespread effort to rewrite our Nation’s history, replacing objective facts with a distorted narrative driven by ideology rather than truth.”
The administration will work with Congress to ensure Smithsonian funding prohibits exhibits or programs that “degrade American values” or promote what they consider inconsistent ideologies. The move signals a significant shift in how the nation’s premier cultural institutions will operate under Trump’s leadership.
After Woke extremists changed how American history is taught, isn’t it laughable that leftists are now complaining that Trump intends to restore it?
