The Smithsonian Museum is under scrutiny after claims surfaced about a progressive shift in its exhibits. ‘The Ingraham Angle’ host Laura Ingraham has spotlighted concerns about curators allegedly rewriting American history through these exhibits.
Historian Dr. Jody Edward Ginn analyzed the exclusion of conservative perspectives in the exhibits. Ginn pointed out that a new exhibition showcases three times more liberal items compared to conservative ones. This imbalance has raised concerns about maintaining political neutrality in national museums.
Former President Donald Trump has voiced his discontent, calling for changes at the Smithsonian. He suggested replacing a modernist sculpture outside the National Museum of American History with a 30-foot statue of George Washington. Trump argues that the current ‘Infinity’ sculpture, installed in 1967, does not reflect American values.
‘Infinity,’ created by artist José de Rivera, has been outside the museum since its federal commissioning. Trump emphasized the need for the Smithsonian to highlight America’s founding principles and achievements.
Additionally, Trump proposed a five-year exhibition celebrating George Washington, set to coincide with the 300th anniversary of Washington’s birth in 2032. He urged the museum to feature an 11-foot statue of Washington by Constitution Day.
Despite these calls, it is unclear if Trump can direct the Smithsonian to enact these changes. The museum is overseen by a Board of Regents, which includes Vice President JD Vance, Chief Justice John Roberts, and other political leaders.
Trump’s criticism extends to the museum’s presentation of American history, particularly regarding the attention given to the Founding Fathers. He highlighted Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River as an event that deserves more focus.
The Center for Restorative History, an initiative aiming to highlight overlooked stories in American history, was criticized by Trump. He proposed creating a ‘Center for American Heroes’ to tell stories of Americans who overcame challenges and contributed to the nation.
In 2025, Trump signed an executive order targeting what he called ‘divisive narratives’ at the Smithsonian. The White House report followed, criticizing the museum for insufficient attention to historical figures like Washington.
Responses from the Smithsonian’s Board of Regents reaffirmed their commitment to nonpartisan and unbiased scholarship. They acknowledged the need for further action to ensure balance in museum content.
Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch announced he would step down at the end of the year. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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