Perhaps The Smithsonian Will Be Renamed The Trumptonian

As you might know by now, the Trump White House gave the Smithsonian a directive to review their museums and exhibits "to ensure alignment with the President’s directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions."

Naturally there is more:

Our goal is not to interfere with the day-to-day operations of curators or staff, but rather to support a broader vision of excellence that highlights historically accurate, uplifting, and inclusive portrayals of America’s heritage.

The directive concludes:

By focusing on Americanism—the people, principles, and progress that define our nation—we can work together to renew the Smithsonian’s role as the world’s leading museum institution. 

If the White House is demanding the Smithsonian align with what President Trump views as American exceptionalism and against divisive and partisan narratives to restore his confidence in our shared institutions then of course the intent and effect is governmental intervention in the day-to-day operations of the Smithsonian at the highest level. After all, the Trump Administration already got the Smithsonian to water down language concerning Trump's impeachments removing all references to the 2020 election and the events of January 6th. 

It is entirely possible that for exhibits to be historically accurate without being particularly uplifting. Try attending an exhibit about the Holocaust. Given that some episodes of American history aren't particularly uplifting then how does the Trump White House want to address slavery. The Trump White House will either not permit any mention of slavery or, perhaps more likely, try to claim that African-Americans benefited from slavery as is the case in Florida's education curriculum implemented in 2023.

There is also the question of what Americanism is as well as the people, principles and progress which define it. I would not be surprised if on January 6, 2026 (the 5th anniversary of the attack on the U.S. Capitol) that an announcement is made by the White House that the Smithsonian will open an exhibit dedicated to those who stormed the Capitol, attacked the police and tried to overthrow a free and fair election. 

In which case, the Smithsonian might as well as be renamed the Trumptonian.