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Smithsonian museum calls George Washington a 'town destroyer' in exhibit

Fox News • September 15, 2026 • nation

Key Points:

The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in Manhattan presents a critical narrative of George Washington and early American history, emphasizing Native American suffering while omitting or downplaying context about conflicts and American military actions.
A prominent exhibit labels Washington as "town destroyer," highlighting the destruction of Haudenosaunee towns without mentioning the raids on American settlements that provoked the campaign.
The Trump administration has criticized the Smithsonian for portraying American history in a negative light and is reviewing its exhibits, threatening funding changes to address what it sees as divisive or inaccurate portrayals.
Many exhibits focus heavily on violence inflicted on Native Americans while minimizing their own conflicts and actions, and educational materials also frame the American Revolution and colonists negatively.
The museum store features books critical of American history, including works accusing the U.S. of white supremacy and ongoing ethnic cleansing, reflecting the institution's broader editorial perspective.

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