US President Donald Trump announced an executive order to reform the Smithsonian Institution on Thursday. He aims to cut funding for programs that, in his view, promote “divisive narratives” and “improper ideology.” This move is the latest step in his broader effort to challenge institutions he considers too liberal.

Trump Accuses Historians of Changing Facts

According to Trump, historians have spent the past decade rewriting American history. He claims they replaced “objective facts” with a “distorted narrative driven by ideology rather than truth.” As a result, he argues, these changes cast the country’s founding principles in a “negative light.”

To address this, Trump’s order places Vice President JD Vance in charge of removing “improper ideology” from the Smithsonian. Specifically, Vance will oversee changes in museums, research centers, education programs, and the National Zoo. Since he serves on the Smithsonian Institution’s Board of Regents, he will play a key role in implementing these policies.

Targeting Cultural Institutions

Furthermore, Trump has been vocal in his criticism of universities and arts programs. Recently, he made himself chairman of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. His goal is to reshape its programming, including the Kennedy Center Honors awards show.

Similarly, his administration pressured Columbia University to change certain policies. By threatening to cut hundreds of millions in federal funding, they forced the Ivy League school to comply.

Bringing Back Removed Monuments

In addition, Trump’s order seeks to restore Confederate statues and monuments that were removed after 2020. Many of these were taken down following George Floyd’s death and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. Since Trump and other conservatives strongly oppose these removals, he now wants them reinstated.

Moreover, he directed improvements to Independence Hall in Philadelphia. These upgrades must be completed by July 4, 2026, in time for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Smithsonian Museums Under Fire

Meanwhile, Trump has criticized several Smithsonian museums. He singled out the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Women’s History Museum, and the American Art Museum.

“Museums in our Nation’s capital should be places where individuals go to learn — not to be subjected to ideological indoctrination or divisive narratives that distort our shared history,” he said.

Restricting Smithsonian Funding

Additionally, Trump’s order directs Vance to work with the White House budget office. Together, they will ensure that Smithsonian funding does not support programs that “degrade shared American values, divide Americans based on race, or promote programs or ideologies inconsistent with federal law and policy.”

Likewise, Trump wants strict guidelines for the Women’s History Museum. He insists that it should only recognize biological women and not transgender individuals.

Furthermore, the order requires the Interior Secretary to restore statues and monuments removed since January 1, 2020. Trump argues that these removals “perpetuated a false reconstruction of American history.”

Smithsonian’s History and Response

Notably, the Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum and research complex. It consists of 21 museums and the National Zoo, with 11 museums located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Congress originally established the institution with funds from British scientist James Smithson. His goal was to create an establishment dedicated to “the increase and diffusion of knowledge.”

However, when asked for a response, Smithsonian spokesperson Linda St. Thomas declined to comment. “We have no comment for now,” she said.