Trump targets Smithsonian, fire delays Brussels art center, Pet Shop Boys on Berlin

Donald Trump is escalating his efforts against the Smithsonian Institution, demanding greater influence over its staff and programming. He accuses the institution of having a 'Marxist' bias and engaging in 'extreme political activism,' as noted by Frauke Steffens in the FAZ. Trump insists on a 'grandiose-edifying historical narrative' and opposes conversations surrounding slavery, racism, and colonialism. In other news, a fire at the upcoming Kanal-Centre Pompidou in Brussels on Monday resulted in considerable water damage, but the opening date of November 28 remains unchanged. Olaf Zimmermann has suggested a nationwide flat-rate for museums, while Manuel Brug critiques the Basel exhibition 'The First Homosexuals.' Additionally, responses to Marc Spiegler's op-ed were published by The New York Times, and Gabi Vidal-Irizarry covered the collaboration between artists Eliza Douglas and Anne Imhof. The Pet Shop Boys announced their purchase of an apartment in Berlin.