The Trump administration, through its official spokesperson Lindsey Halligan, has taken a strong stance against the Smithsonian Institution, accusing it of using its taxpayer-funded resources to promote what it describes as ‘one-sided, divisive political narratives’ that do not represent the ‘greatness of the American story.’ The criticism centers around the National Museum of American History’s ‘Entertainment Nation’ exhibit, which has drawn both internal and external scrutiny for its politically charged interpretation of American pop culture.
According to Halligan, the exhibit’s content has been scrutinized for its alleged bias and failure to present an accurate, balanced account of the nation’s history and cultural development. The administration’s concerns extend beyond the exhibit, with the White House arguing that the Smithsonian is not merely reflecting American culture but actively promoting ideology that often contradicts traditional American values. This marks the latest in a series of moves by the Trump administration to curate cultural institutions it believes have moved too far to the left.
Among the exhibit’s most controversial points is its framing of popular cultural milestones through a critical, politically-charged lens. One panel describing the 1923 circus poster notes how it ‘expresses the colonial impulse to claim dominion over the world,’ while another highlights the perceived ‘extraordinary violence’ in early American entertainment. The exhibit reframes iconic figures such as The Lone Ranger and Mickey Mouse through a lens that many within the Trump administration view as politically motivated and lacking in historical context.
These critiques have drawn a sharp response from the Smithsonian Institution, which has confirmed that it is conducting a thorough review of the exhibit’s content. The museum has stated its commitment to ‘continuous and rigorous scholarship and research’ and ensuring that all content meets its standards for unbiased presentation. However, the Institution has not answered specific questions regarding the exhibit’s authors, the involvement of external consultants, or the reasoning behind its bilingual presentation.
This incident is part of a larger trend under the Trump administration, involving a push to reshape cultural institutions it perceives as veering too far to the left. Earlier this year, Trump issued an executive order directing the Board of Regents to eliminate ‘improper, divisive or anti-American ideology’ from Smithsonian museums. The Board of Regents, which includes prominent figures such as the vice president and the chief justice of the United States, has been under pressure to expedite its review of content from the institution.
The Smithsonian Institution, which receives approximately two-thirds of its $1 billion annual budget from federal appropriations, has faced mounting pressure to align its content with the Trump administration’s vision of American history and culture. The ‘Entertainment Nation’ exhibit, which opened in late 2022 and is housed in a prime location at the museum, was initially marketed as a ‘permanent exhibition to celebrate the power of popular culture to shape and reflect history.’ However, the Trump administration argues that it is failing to deliver the ‘truth,’ instead serving as a platform for what it perceives as ‘social change and cultural subversion.’ This issue highlights the broader tension between institutional academic freedom and political oversight of historical narratives in the United States.