TELL THE SMITHSONIAN: The White House is pressuring the Smithsonian to revise its museums to reflect Trump’s views — rewriting history and furthering Trump’s dangerous ideology. The Smithsonian must stand up to the White House. Sign the petition: Don't let Trump control history!

First, Trump pressured the Smithsonian to revise its exhibit on his impeachment, and now the White House is demanding that the Smithsonian do a full review of its museums to reflect Trump’s views of America.1

A White House letter to the museums states that a goal of this review is “alignment with the President’s directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives.”2 It’s clear that Trump is trying to pressure yet another American institution to reflect his dangerous, far-right ideology.

This is the latest step in Trump’s attempt to control history. He’s ordered an overhaul of the White House by paving over the Rose Garden and drawing up plans for a $200 million ballroom. His allies are trying to put his face on Mount Rushmore and currency. He’s bullying big law firms, media corporations, universities, and other institutions until he has the loyalty of every corner of American society. The Smithsonian must reject the White House’s pressure campaign.

Sign the petition: Urge the Smithsonian to protect history. Reject Trump’s attempt to control the historical record of America!

One historian called the White House’s review of the Smithsonian, “a full assault on the autonomy of all the different branches of the institution.”3 Another historian said it’s Trump’s attempt to “put his stamp on the way we tell the story of America.”4

Trump wants to take ever greater control over America and make the historical record more in line with his racist, hateful, far-right views. The Smithsonian cannot give in.

Sign the petition: Tell the Smithsonian to preserve history and stand up to Trump’s pressure!

Thanks for taking action,

Joey and the Demand Progress team

Sources:

  1. The New York Times, "White House Announces Comprehensive Review of Smithsonian Exhibitions,” August 12, 2025.
  2. The White House Briefings and Statements, “Letter to the Smithsonian: Internal Review of Smithsonian Exhibitions and Materials,” August 12, 2025.
  3. The New York Times, "White House Announces Comprehensive Review of Smithsonian Exhibitions,” August 12, 2025.
  4. Democracy Now, "“Whitewashing of History”: Harvard Historian on Trump’s Targeting of School Curricula, Smithsonian,” August 18, 2025.

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