Demand Progress

After Trump summoned head executive of the Smithsonian, Lonnie G. Bunch III, to a White House meeting last week, Bunch responded with a letter asserting the museums independence and “authority over our programming and content.”^1,2

Trump has made wild accusations against the Smithsonian, calling for an end to the influence of “a divisive, race-centered ideology” and “ideological indoctrination” at the museums.³ If the Smithsonian doesn’t follow Trump’s directive to his liking, the White House will double down on its threats and relentless push to remake history in the image of Trump.

Trump and his far-right lackeys want to rewrite history, hide the painful parts of America’s past, and spread right-wing propaganda through the nation’s premier museums. The Smithsonian Board of Regents and Bunch must remain steadfast against Trump and protect history.

Sign the petition: Reject Trump’s attempt to control the historical record of America!

The White House has targeted artists of color and exhibits depicting the diversity of America. Trump even said the Smithsonian focuses too much on “how bad slavery was.”⁴

Trump’s war on the Smithsonian is about spreading his dangerous, hate-filled, right-wing ideology. Trump’s massive redesign of the White House, and MAGA loyalists trying to get Trump’s face on Mount Rushmore and U.S. currency, are all part of this administration’s authoritarian takeover — celebrating a strongman by remaking society in his image.

Trump is threatening the Smithsonian’s funding if they don’t follow his directives to alter the historical record of America.⁵ Big law firms, Big Tech companies, media corporations, and universities have folded to Trump’s threats — emboldening him to escalate his authoritarian tactics against any organization, company, and institution he disagrees with. The Smithsonian must stand strong against Trump’s threats, and set an example for the next entities that Trump targets.

Sign the petition: Tell the Smithsonian to preserve history and stand up to Trump’s threats!

Sources:

1. The New York Times, "Trump Has Lunch With Smithsonian Chief as He Presses for Museum Changes,” August 28, 2025.
2. The New York Times, "Smithsonian Responds to Trump’s Demand for a Review of Its Exhibits,” September 3, 2025.
3. The White House Executive Orders, “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” August 27, 2025.
4. The New York Times, "Trump Says Smithsonian Focuses Too Much on ‘How Bad Slavery Was',” August 19, 2025.
5. Reuters, "Trump targets the Smithsonian again, says it focuses too much on how bad slavery was,” August 20, 2025.