What would happen if the Smithsonian lost federal funding?

The White House announced it will conduct an audit of Smithsonian museums to ensure exhibits are patriotic and highlight American achievement and progress. The auditors made clear they will look at nearly everything the Smithsonian publishes and presents, including its text and visual displays, current and upcoming exhibitions, social media posts and websites. 

“This review is a constructive and collaborative effort — one rooted in respect for the Smithsonian’s vital mission and its extraordinary contributions,” White House officials wrote to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch, informing him of the audit and its timeline. “Our goal is not to interfere with the day-to-day operations of curators or staff, but rather to support a broader vision of excellence that highlights historically accurate, uplifting, and inclusive portrayals of America’s heritage.”

Employee morale drops

Despite the positive tone, Smithsonian employees are “scared.”

“It’s an impossible position to put us in,” an anonymous Smithsonian employee told the Huffington Post. “We can’t be political with our content, but they have politicized everything. We need to prove we’re not partisan by following this very partisan directive. What are we supposed to do? It’s like up is down. It’s maddening.”

Where does the Smithsonian get its money?

There is also concern that the White House may try to withhold money from the institution if exhibits don’t match Trump’s vision.

If the Trump administration withheld any of the institution’s federal funding, it could severely hinder its operations. The institution receives about 62% of its funding from the federal government, including money from Congress, federal grants and contracts. Congress provided $1.1 billion for fiscal year 2024, which was down from $1.14 billion the year prior. 

The rest of the institution’s funding comes from donations, trust funds, endowments, in addition to revenue from e-commerce, magazines, shops and cafes.  

Its operating budget is $892.8 million and its facilities and capital improvement account is $197.6 million. 

Is the Smithsonian a federal agency?

The Smithsonian Institution consists of 21 museums and the National Zoo. The museums are free to enter and include Air and Space, American History and Natural History. 

It is a “trust instrumentality” of the federal government, not an agency. Although, its employees are largely considered regular civil service employees. Its board of regents consists of the chief justice, vice president and members of Congress. The institution was created by an act of Congress in 1846 after chemist and mineralogist James Smithson provided a gift to the federal government in his will, given on the condition that it be used to create an institution to increase knowledge.