US Holocaust Memorial Museum accused of self-censorship to avoid Trump administration criticism
Allegations have emerged against the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC, suggesting it modified educational materials to sidestep backlash from the Trump administration. According to a report from Politico by Irie Sentner, two former staff members assert that the museum eliminated resources that connected U.S. racism with Nazi antisemitism. A webpage titled 'Teaching Materials on Nazism and Jim Crow' was removed last year, and a YouTube video featuring a Holocaust survivor was made unlisted. Additionally, a workshop was renamed and subsequently canceled due to apprehensions regarding the term 'fragility.' A spokesperson for the museum refuted these claims, stating that no directives for content alterations were issued. Senator Jacky Rosen expressed her deep concern over the findings and intends to ask questions.
Key facts
- The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum allegedly edited language and programming to appease the Trump administration
- Two former employees told Politico about removal of online resources on US racism and Nazi antisemitism connections
- A webpage 'Teaching Materials on Nazism and Jim Crow' was removed last year
- A YouTube video of a 2018 conversation between a Holocaust survivor and a lynching victim's daughter was unlisted
- A workshop was renamed from 'Fragility of Democracy and the Rise of the Nazis' to 'Before the Holocaust: German Society and the Nazi Rise to Power'
- The workshop was later canceled due to 'shifting priorities'
- A USHMM spokesperson denied allegations and said no administration ordered changes
- Senator Jacky Rosen said she was 'deeply troubled' and would raise questions about developments
Entities
Institutions
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
- USHMM
- Politico
- Smithsonian Institute
- Memorial Council
- U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council
Locations
- Washington, DC
- United States
- Germany
- Alabama
- Berlin
- Europe
- Nevada