The Trump administration has initiated a comprehensive review of the Smithsonian Institution’s exhibits as part of its effort to prepare for the 2026 America 250th anniversary celebration. The review, which is rooted in the administration’s ‘Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History’ executive order, aims to ensure that all museum content reflects the nation’s unity, progress, and enduring values, as outlined in the letter sent to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III.
Phase I of this review focuses on five key museums: the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of the American Indian, the National Air and Space Museum, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. The administration has emphasized that the review process is not intended to interfere with the museums’ daily operations, but rather to ensure that their content is historically accurate, uplifting, and inclusive.
As part of the review, museum curators and senior staff will be interviewed to understand their selection process for exhibitions, their approval workflows, and the frameworks currently used to guide content creation. Additionally, the administration has requested that the museums provide all materials, including digital files, for current and upcoming exhibitions, educational resources, external partnerships, grant-related documentation, survey responses, and internal guidelines and governance. These materials will be evaluated by staff tasked with ensuring the Smithsonian aligns with the administration’s directive.
The review process will involve a 120-day implementation guideline, with the expectation that some aspects, such as the submission of current exhibition descriptions and future plans, will be addressed within 30 days of receiving the initial letter. The museums are also required to select a staff liaison to serve as the primary contact during the review. The review will include on-site observational visits, which may be conducted by federal officials to assess the museum’s adherence to the mandated standards.
By mid-2026, the administration anticipates completing the review and has described the process as a collaborative and forward-looking opportunity to renew the Smithsonian’s role as the world’s leading museum institution. The review’s ultimate goal is to ensure the Smithsonian remains vibrant, trusted, and inspiring for future generations, while promoting a unified national narrative that highlights the strength, breadth, and achievements of the American story.