(Adnkronos) – The Smithsonian museums will revise their content, thus responding to the request of US President Donald Trump and his deputy JD Vance to ”eliminate inappropriate, divisive and anti-American content”, i.e. to remove the ”woke ideology”. The Wall Street Journal writes this, after having exclusively viewed a document on the decision taken by the Smithsonian Board of Directors in a closed-door meeting and which shows how Trump’s influence on national museums is beginning to produce effects. With an executive order in March, Trump in fact asked that ”biases and political influences be eliminated” from the 21 museums and the zoo that report to the Smithsonian Administration. That is, to remove “narratives that portray American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive”.
On May 30, with a post on his Truth Social, Trump also tried to fire the director of the National Portrait Gallery, Kim Sajet, accusing him of ”political affiliation”, but the Smithsonian maintains decision-making power over personnel and managed to save his job. The Wall Street Journal points out that Trump’s plan could have a significant impact on the most important art institution in the United States.
“The board has instructed the secretary to evaluate the content of the museums and make the necessary changes to ensure their impartiality, including personnel changes,” said a Smithsonian spokesperson quoted by the Wall Street Journal. “The board has asked the secretary to report on progress and suggest next steps,” he added.
One of the main sources of tension was Trump’s attempt to fire the director of the National Portrait Gallery, Kim Sajet, calling him ”extremely biased”, although he does not have the authority. The Smithsonian has stated that it retains decision-making power over personnel and an informed source explained that no decisions have been made on Sajet. The content review is nonetheless a victory for the White House, as Trump has managed to extend his influence to the country’s cultural institutions.
The motion adopted by the Smithsonian board did not set a timeline for the review, but the Wall Street Journal expects it will be quick. Trump and the Republicans have shown particular interest in removing what the president calls “woke ideology” from museums. The ordinance requires the Smithsonian to focus on promoting “American greatness”.
The content review is part of a broader upheaval of the renowned national museum and research complex, hoped for by conservatives. Trump’s budget would cut federal funding for the Smithsonian and eliminate funding for the still-in-design National Museum of the American Latino.
