ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Trump's push for sanitized US history meets resistance from Smithsonian curators

cultural-heritage · 2026-05-26

As the United States gears up for its 250th anniversary of independence on July 4, President Donald Trump is championing a celebratory interpretation of history, which stands in contrast to the views of museum experts who call for a more complex narrative. A statue of Caesar Rodney was unveiled at Freedom Plaza in Washington DC. In March 2025, Trump signed an executive order titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," condemning museums for being excessively "woke." By December 2025, the White House mandated that the Smithsonian present plans for exhibitions showcasing a "positive view of American history." Nevertheless, on May 14, 2026, the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History launched "In Pursuit of Life, Liberty and Happiness," displaying 250 artifacts, including those highlighting battles against discrimination.

Key facts

  • Trump is promoting a sanitized version of US history for the 250th anniversary on 4 July.
  • A statue of Caesar Rodney was erected at Freedom Plaza in Washington DC.
  • Trump issued an executive order in March 2025 criticizing museums for being 'too woke'.
  • The White House demanded in December 2025 that the Smithsonian submit all exhibition plans for a 'positive view of American history'.
  • The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History opened 'In Pursuit of Life, Liberty and Happiness' on 14 May 2026.
  • The exhibition features 250 objects from the museum's collection of over 1.7 million items.
  • Curator Theodore Gonzalves and Megan Howell Smith say the exhibition was unaffected by political pressure.
  • Objects include a MAGA hat, Nancy Pelosi's gavel, a dress worn by Alexandra Billings, and a gay wedding cake topper.

Entities

Artists

  • Alexandra Billings
  • Theodore Gonzalves
  • Megan Howell Smith
  • Charlotte McDonald-Gibson

Institutions

  • Smithsonian Institution
  • National Museum of American History
  • White House
  • Monocle

Locations

  • Washington DC
  • United States
  • National Mall
  • Freedom Plaza
  • Delaware

Sources