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The History at the Smithsonian That the White House Finds Unpatriotic
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- The White House released a 162-page report accusing the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History of “extreme political activism” in its portrayal of U.S. history during the nation’s 250th anniversary.
- The report criticizes the museum for failing to prominently feature the founding story of 1776, including exhibits on the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolutionary War, and the founding fathers.
- This action is part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to influence how history is presented at the Smithsonian, aiming to promote a more “patriotic” narrative aligned with its political agenda.
- Historians and organizations such as the Organization of American Historians condemned the report, calling it an example of executive branch overreach and political coercion in shaping historical interpretation.
