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White House releases critical report on Smithsonian leadership and museum exhibits, following executive order on history interpretation.
The White House released a 162-page report criticizing Smithsonian Institution leadership, focusing on the direction of the nation's museums. The report comes as the Trump administration has pushed to change exhibits at Smithsonian museums, part of broader efforts to influence how American history is interpreted publicly.
These efforts follow a March 2025 executive order on American history interpretation signed by the Trump administration. In August 2025, the administration launched a review of eight Smithsonian museums. Lonnie Bunch currently serves as Smithsonian Secretary, while Anthea Hartig has led the National Museum of American History since 2019.
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Executive order precedes formal institutional review by five months
The Trump administration signed an executive order on American history interpretation in March 2025. In August 2025, it launched a formal review of eight Smithsonian museums. The 162-page critical report on Smithsonian Institution leadership followed, reflecting a sustained administrative focus on how the nation's premier museums present historical narratives.
Report targets Smithsonian's chief executive and museum directors
Lonnie Bunch, serving as Smithsonian Secretary, oversees the institution during the review. Anthea Hartig has led the National Museum of American History since 2019. The 162-page White House report directly criticizes institutional leadership while the administration simultaneously pushes for specific changes to exhibits across eight museums.