In brief
President Trump has issued a new executive order that forces the Smithsonian National Museum of American History to put up warning signs about exhibits it considers 'inaccurate.' The order demands the Department of Interior issue the warnings and direct visitors to places with what the administration claims are 'accurate' accounts of America's past. Trump’s move follows criticism of the museum’s perceived 'woke' bias and aims to steer the narrative toward what he calls core American values. The Smithsonian, a major cultural institution funded by the federal government, has faced legal challenges over similar orders to curb diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Attention history buffs! President Donald Trump has just told the Smithsonian National Museum of American History to put up warning signs. The new executive order says the museum’s exhibits are “inaccurate” and that visitors should check elsewhere for “accurate” versions of America’s story.
The memo is part of Trump’s larger push to scrub what he calls a ‘woke’ bias from public institutions. He has already directed the Smithsonian to “eliminate improper, divisive, or anti‑American ideology” and to cast away ‘social justice’ narratives.
Under the order, the Department of Interior will issue the signage and explain where people can find the “right” version of history. The new signs will stand at the museum’s entrances, warning people that the displays they see may be “inaccurate.”
The Smithsonian – which attracts millions of visitors annually and runs 21 museums across the US – has been echoing similar concerns about balanced storytelling. Trump’s latest move follows congressional hearings that accused the museum’s director of letting “woke ideology” seep into exhibits and plans.
What does this mean for you? The Smithsonian may soon landscape its public-facing displays with cautionary notices, inching away from a narrative that acknowledges the complexities and contestations of American history. Young adult readers can now see how political power can reshape the way history is portrayed.
