Trump’s Racist Takeover of Smithsonian Targets Black History and Censors Presidential Truths

August 15, 2025

The Trump administration is actively reshaping the Smithsonian Institution through an executive order that places Vice President J.D. Vance in charge of purging "divisive" content from exhibits, particularly those addressing race and slavery. Recent changes include removing references to Trump's two impeachments from the National Museum of American History and returning loaned civil rights artifacts from the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The administration demands "content corrections" across eight major museums to replace what it considers "ideologically driven" narratives with those celebrating "American exceptionalism.

Who is affected

The Smithsonian Institution and its eight major museums
Visitors to Smithsonian museums who will see altered exhibitions
Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch and museum staff
Civil rights leader Dr. Amos C. Brown whose artifacts were returned
The American public who receives information through these museums
Historians and civil rights leaders who oppose the changes

What action is being taken

The Trump administration is implementing an executive order called "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History"
Vice President J.D. Vance is overseeing the purging of "divisive" narratives from Smithsonian exhibitions
References to Trump's two impeachments are being removed from the "Limits of Presidential Power" exhibit
The White House is demanding access to internal curatorial documents, exhibition plans, and educational materials
Historic artifacts related to civil rights have been returned to their owner without discussion
The administration is insisting on "content corrections" across museums

Why it matters

This represents unprecedented federal interference in the Smithsonian's 178-year history
The changes affect how American history, particularly regarding slavery, race, and presidential power, is presented to the public
Critics, including Pulitzer Prize-winner Nikole Hannah-Jones, view the actions as an attempt to erase or minimize crucial aspects of American history
The administration's control extends to content, funding, and appointments to the Board of Regents
Some observers compare these actions to authoritarian tactics that undermine historical accuracy
The moves are seen as part of a larger agenda described by Dr. Brown as inducing "cultural and historical Alzheimer's"

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint