White House review to remove ‘partisan narratives’ in Smithsonian museum exhibits has Dems apoplectic

Preparations for America’s 250th birthday found the Trump administration reviewing a famed museum for “partisan narratives” that have critics alleging efforts to “rewrite history.”

For years, leftists cheered as monuments were defaced and statues were torn down; at the same time, attempts were made to mainstream opinion-driven reimagining of the nation’s founding with content like “The 1619 Project.” Tuesday, balls were set in motion by President Donald Trump’s administration as the Smithsonian Institution was informed about the start of a “comprehensive internal review.”

Submitted to Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lonnie Bunch III from administration officials based on the president’s executive order, “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” the letter detailed, “This initiative aims to ensure alignment with the President’s directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions.”

“As we prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our Nation’s founding, it is more important than ever that our national museums reflect the unity, progress, and enduring values that define the American story,” expressed the message from Senior Associate Staff Secretary Lindsey Halligan, Domestic Policy Council Director Vince Haley and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought.

The president’s executive order specifically calls out an exhibit that claimed “sculpture has been a powerful tool in promoting scientific racism,” another that planned to celebrate men competing in women’s sports as well as a museum’s claim that “hard work,” “individualism” and “the nuclear family” were characteristics of “White culture.”

Remember when American taxpayer dollars were used to fund this exhibit on “white culture” at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture? https://t.co/kGQ7PFPBgP pic.twitter.com/V9YfymzNZc

— Steve Friend (@RealStevefriend) August 12, 2025

Indicating that the “constructive and collaborative effort” is “rooted in respect for the Smithsonian’s vital mission,” the letter contended the goal of the review is not to disrupt operations, “but rather to support a broader vision of excellence that highlights historically accurate, uplifting, and inclusive portrayals of America’s heritage.”

Despite the straightforward message, detractors of the president and conservatives — who are done with Marxist indoctrination efforts — saw fit to demonize the initiative to develop “consistent curatorial guidelines that reflect the Smithsonian’s original mission.”

Among them was Democratic analyst David Axelrod, who argued that the federal government reviewing content heavily funded by the American taxpayer somehow had a “soviet feel to it.”

(Video Credit: CNN)

“The statues he wants to restore are people who are fighting to retain slavery, and that is just a historical fact,” Axelrod told CNN’s Anderson Cooper after the host raised the notion that those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it.

“This has just kind of a soviet feel to it, a Stalinist feel to it that you … take over cultural institutions and historical institutions, and you try and rewrite history,” the former adviser to President Barack Obama added as he accused Trump of “rewriting history every day, and he believes that you can do that.”

“This is all around the 250th anniversary of our Founding Fathers declaring themselves free of a mad king. And you wonder what they would think coming back today and watching this,” said Axelrod.

Of the Smithsonian’s 21 museums, the initial review was slated to cover eight with more in a second phase. The administration requested materials regarding 250th anniversary plans, current exhibition content, upcoming exhibits, internal guidelines, external partnerships, grant-related documentation, and more, with windows of 30, 75, and 120 days for specific actions to be taken.

“By focusing on Americanism–the people, principles, and progress that define our nation–we can work together to renew the Smithsonian’s role as the world’s leading museum institution,” the letter concluded. “We look forward to working alongside you and your team to ensure these iconic institutions remain vibrant, trusted, and inspiring for generations to come.”