President Donald Trump has escalated his campaign to reshape how American history is presented at one of the nation’s most recognizable museums, ordering warning signs to be placed outside the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.
The new executive order, signed Friday, directs the installation of temporary signs informing visitors that the administration believes the museum contains historical information it considers inaccurate or misleading. The move is the latest step in Trump’s broader effort to promote what he calls a more patriotic and unifying account of America’s past.
Trump Targets Smithsonian With New Executive Order
The order follows a White House report released on July 4 that sharply criticized the Smithsonian Institution’s approach to American history.
According to the report, the museum “cannot be trusted to tell America’s story honestly and in a way that is inspiring, unifying, and worthy of our great republic.”
The administration argues that some exhibits emphasize political and social themes while giving insufficient attention to America’s achievements and founding principles.
Trump first announced his intentions in March 2025 when he signed an executive order aimed at ending federal support for programs that promote what his administration describes as divisive narratives or ideological activism.
Trump Says Museum Should Celebrate America’s Heritage
In the latest order, Trump said Smithsonian leadership has moved away from presenting American history as a shared national inheritance.
Instead, he argued the institution increasingly portrays the nation’s past through the lens of social justice and political activism.
The president wrote that Smithsonian leadership “cannot be trusted to tell America’s story with honesty and gratitude,” adding that Americans deserve museums that celebrate the country’s history while presenting information accurately.
Supporters of the move say federal institutions should focus on preserving America’s heritage and inspiring future generations rather than advancing modern political viewpoints.
Warning Signs Will Greet Museum Visitors
Trump directed Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to work with the National Park Service to install temporary signs along the sidewalks and walkways leading to the museum.
According to the executive order, the signs will:
- Inform visitors about the White House’s July 4 report.
- Explain the administration’s concerns regarding historical accuracy.
- Reference Trump’s earlier executive order on federal funding.
- Direct visitors to resources the administration says provide a more complete and accurate account of American history.
The administration says the goal is to ensure visitors have additional context before entering the museum.
White House Orders Agencies to Enforce Policy
The executive order also instructs Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, General Services Administration officials, and White House domestic policy staff to use all available legal authority to carry out the administration’s policy.
The directive signals that the White House intends to continue pressing for changes at federally supported museums and cultural institutions.
Smithsonian Pushes Back
The Smithsonian declined to comment directly on Friday’s executive order.
Earlier this month, however, Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch defended the institution after the White House released its report.
Bunch said the report did not fairly represent the National Museum of American History or the Smithsonian’s broader mission.
He stated that the museum remains committed to scholarship, historical accuracy, and presenting the full story of the United States.
Bunch also said the Smithsonian continues to operate with a commitment to independence, nonpartisanship, integrity, and rigorous academic standards.
Debate Over American History Intensifies
Trump’s latest executive order is expected to intensify the ongoing national debate over how American history should be taught, preserved, and presented in publicly funded institutions.
Supporters argue the administration is working to restore a more patriotic presentation of the nation’s history and ensure taxpayer-funded museums reflect America’s founding ideals.
Critics contend the White House is attempting to influence how historical scholarship is presented to the public.
With the Smithsonian now at the center of the dispute, the debate over America’s history—and who gets to tell it—is likely to remain a major political issue in the months ahead.