The fake historian advising Trump's anti-Smithsonian crusade

Key Points:

• President Trump issued an executive order requiring signs outside the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History (NMAH) claiming the museum presents history inaccurately, as part of a broader campaign accusing the Smithsonian of liberal bias.
• The order references a White House report criticizing the NMAH for “extreme political activism” and claims the museum misrepresents topics like slavery, immigration, and the influence of Christianity in American history.
• Right-wing Christian nationalist figures David and Tim Barton, founders of WallBuilders, have reportedly influenced the Trump administration’s stance; their views on American history closely align with the report’s criticisms.
• The Bartons have publicly acknowledged involvement in reviewing Smithsonian exhibits and advising the White House and Congressional Republicans, who have questioned NMAH leadership over alleged “woke ideology.”
• Efforts to reshape the Smithsonian’s leadership are ongoing, with Trump and Congressional Republicans seeking to appoint conservative members to the Smithsonian’s Board of Regents, which controls museum leadership appointments.