A top official in the Trump White House has launched a sharp critique of the Smithsonian’s Entertainment Nation exhibit at the National Museum of American History, accusing it of promoting a partisan and negative view of U.S. culture using taxpayer dollars.
Officials argue that exhibits are being framed in a way that depicts American icons—like Mickey Mouse, The Lone Ranger, and Star Wars—as symbols of colonialism, violence, or systemic prejudice. The White House claims this approach undermines national unity and distorts America’s founding ideals.
As a result, the Smithsonian is undergoing a comprehensive content review. The directive comes with instructions from the Trump administration: exhibits must offer balanced perspectives, highlight national accomplishments, and align with traditional interpretations of U.S. history.
This move echoes President Trump’s March executive order mandating the Smithsonian and related cultural institutions purge what he termed “divisive, race-centered ideology,” placing oversight in the hands of Vice President J.D. Vance and White House aide Lindsey Halligan.
The unfolding dispute reflects a broad effort by the current administration to reshape the narratives presented by federally supported cultural institutions.