Trump Orders Changes at Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History

President Donald Trump has issued an executive order for temporary exhibits and warning signs outside the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. This move aims to address what his administration terms “inaccurate information” inside the museum.

The order instructs the Interior Department and National Park Service to add signage along museum walkways. These signs will inform visitors of a recent White House report criticizing the Smithsonian’s portrayal of American history. They will also direct visitors to what the administration considers “accurate information” about the nation’s past.

The executive order is part of Trump’s broader initiative to change how American history is presented at federally supported museums and cultural institutions.

White House Report Details

The basis for the executive order is a 162-page report from the White House Domestic Policy Council, titled Saving America’s Story: How Ideological Capture at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History Erases Our Heritage. Released on July 4, the report claims that the Smithsonian promotes “ideological activism” over historical scholarship.

It argues that exhibits on race, gender, immigration, and sexuality have distorted the nation’s story. The report suggests the museum no longer depicts American history as “a shared national inheritance.” Instead, it accuses Smithsonian leaders of using history to advance social justice causes, focusing too much on slavery, racism, inequality, and other historical shortcomings.

Recommendations include posting warning signs stating that exhibits were created by individuals who “don’t want you to love your country.” The report also suggests increasing recognition of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence during America’s 250th anniversary and revising exhibits perceived as ideologically biased.

Exhibits Under Scrutiny

The report identifies specific exhibits inside the National Museum of American History. One exhibit criticized is “Girlhood (It’s Complicated)”, which discusses gender identity and transgender experiences. The administration views this as political activism rather than historical interpretation. Republicans have also questioned the exhibit in recent congressional hearings.

The report states the museum lacks sufficient recognition of the Declaration of Independence and its signers during the nation’s 250th anniversary. The executive order calls for temporary outdoor exhibits to address these omissions.

Museum Director Anthea Hartig has opposed the White House’s claims. Hartig informed lawmakers that the museum follows rigorous historical scholarship, presenting both America’s achievements and its shortcomings.

Timeline of Trump’s Actions

• March 27, 2025: Trump signed Executive Order 14253, “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” It directed Vice President JD Vance to eliminate “divisive” ideology from Smithsonian museums and link future federal funding to those goals.
• August 12, 2025: A White House review of Smithsonian exhibitions, educational materials, and public messaging was ordered to check alignment with the administration’s vision for America’s 250th anniversary.
• July 4, 2026: The Domestic Policy Council released Saving America’s Story, accusing the Smithsonian of ideological bias and recommending major changes to museum exhibits and messaging.
• July 24, 2026: Trump signed an executive order for warning signs and temporary exhibits outside the National Museum of American History to counter what the administration describes as inaccurate historical information within the museum.