A White House newsletter identified Smithsonian artworks, exhibitions, programs and online content addressing race, slavery, immigration and sexuality as objectionable. The newsletter named works at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Portrait Gallery, and the National Museum of the American Latino. White House officials requested eight Smithsonian museums submit current and future exhibition, social media and other content plans and gave director Lonnie Bunch 120 days for a "comprehensive review" to align museums with Trump administration cultural directives ahead of the country's 250th anniversary. The administration directed replacement of "divisive or ideologically driven language" with unifying, historically accurate descriptions. NPR and the Smithsonian did not provide additional comment; some artists fear targeting while others welcome the attention as a badge of honor.
The official White House newsletter has posted an article titled "President Trump Is Right About the Smithsonian." It calls out some of the institution's artwork, exhibitions, programs and online articles that focus on race, slavery, immigration and sexuality. That includes works at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, The National Portrait Gallery, and The National Museum of the American Latino.
The list of objectionable content comes a week after White House officials sent a letter asking eight of the Smithsonian's museums to submit their current and future plans for exhibitions, social media content and other material. The institution's director Lonnie Bunche was told it had 120 days to comply for what the administration says will be a "comprehensive review," in order to bring the Smithsonian in line with Trump's cultural directives ahead of the country's 250th anniversary celebrations.
The administration has directed the museums to replace "divisive or ideologically driven language with unifying, historically accurate and constructive descriptions." NPR reached out to the White House asking for comment about the article highlighting the Smithsonian artists. They have not responded. The list of artists and content seems to be drawn from art that was highlighted in a recent article in The Federalist.
The Smithsonian's press office declined NPR's offer to comment on the White House list. In June, it sent out a statement saying the institution is committed to remaining "free from political or partisan influence." While some of the artists and scholars NPR spoke to said they fear being further targeted, others said that being called out by the White House is a "badge of honor."
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