‘Let’s tell the truth’: Smithsonian head given standing ovation as he hits back at Trump attacks

Key Points:

• Lonnie Bunch, outgoing secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, defended the organization against political interference, emphasizing that presenting the unvarnished truths of history is an act of “great love” for America.
• Speaking at the 10th anniversary of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Bunch rejected accusations that the museum or Smithsonian staff are unpatriotic, highlighting the importance of understanding slavery as foundational to US history.
• Bunch criticized political pressure on museum curation, insisting that exhibitions must be based on independent scholarship and that illuminating all aspects of history, including its darker parts, is essential to understanding the nation's greatness.
• His remarks come amid criticism from the Trump administration, which accused Smithsonian leaders of radical activism and ordered content reviews, with Trump publicly denouncing the institution for focusing on slavery and negative aspects of American history.
• A new legacy fund honoring Bunch was announced, supported by a $1 million pledge from TV producer Shonda Rhimes and seeded by a $3.5 million anonymous donation, aimed at sustaining the museum’s values of inclusion, engagement, and scholarly independence.