Trump orders removal of 'race-centered ideology' from museums

Photo: AP

United States President Donald Trump has announced plans to remove what he calls “harmful” and “divisive” ideas from the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum group.

On Thursday, Trump signed an executive order titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” The order puts Vice President JD Vance in charge of making changes to the Smithsonian. Trump says the goal is to return the museum to being a symbol of “American pride and greatness.”

In the order, Trump claims that the Smithsonian has been promoting a “race-centered ideology” that paints American and Western values as bad or oppressive. The American Art Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture were specifically called out for showcasing exhibits that, according to Trump, create “divisive and misleading” narratives about America’s history.

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Trump says museums in Washington, DC, should be places where people go to learn about shared history—not be exposed to political ideas that divide the country. The Smithsonian, which includes 21 museums and the National Zoo, is a major attraction in the U.S. capital. Popular sites like the National Museum of Natural History and the National Museum of American History are part of the group. JD Vance, who is now overseeing the changes, is also a member of the Smithsonian Institution’s Board of Regents.

Trump’s executive order says it is the policy of his administration to restore federal museums, parks, and historical sites to focus on “America’s proud heritage”. He wants these places to celebrate the country’s “progress, freedom, and success” instead of promoting messages that, in his view, cause division.

The move comes after Trump made similar changes in February to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. He appointed himself as the chairman of the center, giving him control over its programs.

Since taking office in January, Trump has reversed many diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies that were introduced under former President Joe Biden. Trump and many Republicans also want to stop the spread of “critical race theory” in schools, museums, and other public institutions. This theory examines how racism exists in American systems and laws. It gained more attention after the 2020 police killing of George Floyd, a Black man, which sparked nationwide protests.

Under Trump’s new order, the Smithsonian is banned from hosting or funding exhibits that, in his words, “divide Americans by race” or promote programs that go against federal laws or policies. The order also blocks the Women’s History Museum—which is still being developed—from hosting any exhibits that celebrate transgender women.

Finally, the order suggests that Confederate monuments and symbols—which were removed across the U.S. after 2020—might be returned to public parks and museums as part of this effort to restore historical sites.