Trump Should Let African American Museum Tell the Truth About Slavery

September 17, 2025

President Trump's recent social media post criticized the Smithsonian Institution for allegedly focusing too much on slavery and not celebrating American success, prompting him to instruct his attorneys to review the museums. This follows an August 12 letter from Trump administration officials demanding a "comprehensive internal review" of eight Smithsonian museums based on a March executive order to remove "improper ideology. " A.

Who is affected

Smithsonian Institution and its eight museums
Visitors to Smithsonian museums
National Museum of African American History and Culture specifically
Black Americans whose history is represented in the museums
The American public who learns about history through these institutions
Museum staff and administrators who may face scrutiny or review

What action is being taken

Trump has instructed his attorneys to "go through the Museums"
Trump administration officials have demanded a "comprehensive internal review" of eight Smithsonian museums
The White House is reviewing museums "to ensure alignment with the President's directive to celebrate American exceptionalism"
An executive order from March is being implemented to "remove improper ideology" from Smithsonian institutions

Why it matters

The dispute centers on how American history, particularly slavery, should be portrayed in national museums
Accurate historical representation is essential for understanding the nation's past and progress
The author argues that acknowledging difficult history like slavery is comparable to Germany's approach to Holocaust education
The independence of cultural institutions from political influence is at stake
The museums serve as educational resources that show both historical challenges and achievements

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

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