White House orders Smithsonian museums to revise ‘woke’ exhibits

The White House published an article criticizing several Smithsonian museums for showcasing exhibits it deems “woke” or divisive, singling out displays on slavery, immigration, and LGBTQ+ history at some of the nation’s institutions. In a letter sent to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch, officials demanded changes within 120 days.

Some artists and scholars condemned the order, saying the exhibits provide vital perspectives and highlight many viewpoints and diverse realities that are part of American history.

What exhibits are under review?

An unsigned article on the White House website, titled “President Trump Is Right About the Smithsonian,” criticized displays and programs across seven Smithsonian museums. Among the targets were exhibits dealing with slavery, immigration, transgender identity and LGBTQ+ history.

While the article cited seven museums, the administration’s accompanying letter gave eight Smithsonian museums the same deadline.

Examples included the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s past educational materials on “whiteness,” the American History Museum’s inclusion of a Pride flag and depictions of migrants at the southern border, and the National Portrait Gallery’s animation examining Dr. Anthony Fauci’s career. Fauci is the former chief medical adviser to the president and presided over much of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The National Museum of the American Latino was cited for presentations that described U.S. history as rooted in colonization and displayed quotes from activists.

The White House list was based partly on a conservative media article and added points from a March executive order.

How is the administration acting on its concerns?

The administration gave eight Smithsonian museums four months to revise exhibits it described as politically biased, insisting they present history with content that is “unifying, historically accurate and constructive.”

Vice President JD Vance, who sits on the Smithsonian’s board, has been working with Congress to restrict funding for programs deemed inconsistent with federal law. White House aide Lindsey Halligan has also taken credit for spearheading the review.

The Smithsonian receives about 62% of its $1 billion annual budget from federal funds.

How have artists and scholars responded?

Some artists named on the list said that being singled out by the White House highlighted the importance of their work. Rigoberto A. González, whose painting of migrants at the border was mentioned, compared the scrutiny to historic suppressions of art.

“It reminded me right away of, when you read in our history, about ‘degenerate art’ that the Nazis targeted,” González told The Washington Post.

The White House has not addressed such comparisons.

Hugo Crosthwaite, whose portrait of Fauci was noted, said inclusion on the list felt like a form of recognition.

“In a way I’m kind of honored to be included in this list of important exhibitions and art projects that shed light on many viewpoints and diverse realities that are part of American History,” Crosthwaite wrote in an email to The Post.

The clash follows other moves by the Trump administration to reshape Washington’s cultural institutions, including leadership changes at the Kennedy Center.

The list reflects the Trump administration’s promise to root out what they call “woke and divisive ideology” from federally funded institutions.