President Donald Trump issued an order Friday directing his administration to place signs outside the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History informing visitors that certain exhibits contain inaccuracies. The directive represents the latest action in the president’s broader effort to influence how American history is conveyed through major cultural institutions.
The order follows a July 4 report from Trump’s Domestic Policy Council that characterized the Smithsonian and its American history museum as failing to present history “in a way that is inspiring, unifying, and worthy of our great republic.” Since Trump lacks direct authority to quickly remove Smithsonian leadership or mandate exhibit changes, the executive order focuses on signs on public sidewalks maintained by the National Park Service. The signs are designed to direct visitors to resources the administration describes as providing “accurate information regarding America’s history,” and the order also calls for a temporary exhibit intended to correct information deemed inaccurate.
Anthea M. Hartig, director of the American history museum, addressed the White House report during congressional hearings this week. She stated the museum does “not fairly or accurately characterize the full body of work” and defended the institution’s collections and programming, while acknowledging room for improvement. The Smithsonian operates independently from the executive branch, with museum directors reporting to Secretary Lonnie Bunch and subject to oversight from a Board of Regents.
This action reflects Trump’s broader campaign to transform cultural institutions he believes conflict with conservative values. The administration has also made changes to historical sites beyond Washington, including a court-approved reinstallation of interpretive panels at President George Washington’s home in Philadelphia. Critics and academics have expressed concern that such revisions may downplay difficult historical subjects in favor of a more triumphant national narrative. Trump initially signaled his intention to reform the Smithsonian in March through an executive order targeting funding for programs he characterized as advancing “divisive narratives” and “improper ideology.”
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