President Donald Trump has escalated his dispute with the Smithsonian Institution by ordering the installation of signs outside the National Museum of American History, directing visitors to what the White House deems “accurate” information about the nation’s past. This unprecedented executive order instructs the National Park Service to place signage on federal property adjacent to the museum, referencing a July 4 White House report that sharply criticized the Smithsonian’s portrayal of American history as “one-sided, divisive, and anti-American.” The administration argues that the museum fails to present history in a manner that is “inspiring, unifying, and worthy of our great republic,” specifically targeting exhibits like “Entertainment Nation” for framing national history through an ideological lens rather than celebrating achievements. While Trump cannot directly alter museum exhibits due to the Smithsonian’s independent operational status, this move signals a broader effort to influence the institution’s narrative, building on a previous executive order directing the Smithsonian’s Board of Regents to eliminate “divisive or anti-American ideology.” The museum’s director has defended its work, stating it does not fairly characterize the full body of work and that there is always room for improvement, while the White House maintains that American taxpayers should not fund institutions that undermine the country.
Adapted from: Latest Political News on Fox News
