The Trump administration continues its mission to eradicate what it calls “woke” ideologies, this time targeting pillars of American art, history and culture.
In a recent executive order, President Trump directed the Smithsonian Institution to remove “divisive narratives” from exhibits, specifically targeting the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the forthcoming American Women’s History Museum.
In the order, Vice President J.D. Vance–also a member of the Smithsonian Institution’s Board of Regents–was tasked with overseeing compliance and ensuring exhibits align with “American values.”
The order also requires the restoration of federal monuments and memorials that were altered or removed over the last decade, aiming to realign public historical representation with the administration’s vision.
Trump’s aim for the American Women’s History Museum to exclude transgender women from historical narratives echoes his executive order, “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” which prohibits transgender women and girls from participating in female sports across all educational levels.
The policy mandates that educational programs rescind federal funding if they allow transgender women and girls to compete on female teams, deeming such participation as compromising fairness, safety and privacy in women’s sports.
Critics argue that the Trump administration’s recent executive order poses a serious threat to historical integrity by attempting to censor discussions on race, inequality and power within the Smithsonian Institution. By mandating the removal of so-called “divisive narratives,” the administration risks erasing essential perspectives, silencing marginalized voices and distorting public understanding of the nation’s past.
The Smithsonian Institution has long been a cornerstone of historical preservation, education and public engagement. The NMAAHC, in particular, was founded to document and highlight African American contributions, struggles and achievements. The museum serves as a vital institution that fosters dialogue, understanding, and reflection on issues of race, resilience and cultural influence in America.
By attempting to alter the content of such exhibits, the Trump administration aims to redefine history based on a political agenda rather than scholarly research and historical accuracy.
This executive order signals a significant shift in how history is presented in public institutions. It particularly targets the NMAAHC and other Smithsonian museums, claiming that certain exhibits promote an “anti-American” viewpoint. Critics argue this move undermines the Smithsonian’s fundamental mission of presenting an inclusive and fact-based narrative of American history.
The establishment of the NMAAHC was a landmark moment in addressing the historical gaps in American storytelling. For centuries, Black American history was overlooked or minimized in mainstream historical and educational institutions, even with history books failing to include the significant contributions, struggles and achievements of Black Americans, thereby distorting the full narrative of the nation’s past.
The museum was created to ensure these stories were properly acknowledged, providing the public with a comprehensive understanding of the nation’s past. However, the Trump administration’s push to remove what it deems “divisive” narratives threatens this mission.
Beyond its impact on the Smithsonian, the executive order sets a dangerous precedent for government interference in cultural institutions. If historical narratives can be rewritten to fit the political priorities of those in power, it raises concerns about the integrity and independence of museums, research institutions and educational programs.
By trying to control how history is presented, the Trump administration risks not only changing the past but also stopping progress that comes from truly understanding it. The Smithsonian’s role is to educate, not to conform to political pressures and any effort to reshape its historical narratives for ideological reasons must be met with strong resistance.
“The moment we allow politicians to dictate history is the moment we abandon the truth,” Historian Jon Meacham said. “Nations that erase their pasts do not move forward—they repeat their mistakes.”
