Trump orders signs outside Smithsonian museum over 'inaccurate' US history

Donald Trump has ordered signs outside the Smithsonian's American history museum to contest exhibits he says are inaccurate. The move deepens his campaign to recast how US history is publicly presented, even as museum leaders reject the criticism.

In Short

• Order cites a July 4 report criticising museum presentations as uninspiring
• Signs will direct visitors to White House-backed resources on national history
• A temporary display is planned to counter information Trump considers inaccurate

US President Donald Trump on Friday ordered his administration to put up signs outside the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History, saying some exhibits there are inaccurate. The move is his latest step to influence how the story of the United States is presented.

The order follows a report released on July 4 by Trump's Domestic Policy Council, which said leaders of the Smithsonian and its history museum do not present history "in a way that is inspiring, unifying, and worthy of our great republic". As Trump does not have the authority to quickly remove Smithsonian leaders or directly change exhibits, the executive order instead focuses on the sidewalks outside the museum, which are maintained by the National Park Service.

Under the order, signs are to inform visitors about the White House report and direct them to resources for what Trump called "accurate information regarding America's history". It also calls for a temporary exhibit to correct information he considers inaccurate. Smithsonian officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Anthea M Hartig, director of the American history museum, rejected the White House report during congressional hearings this week. "As we continue to fact check the report, we unwaveringly attest that it does not fairly or accurately characterise the full body of work at the museum," she told lawmakers. "There is always room for improvement. But I also know the beauty and the inspiration and the expertise that lies in our collections, our exhibits, and our programming."

The Smithsonian operates outside the executive branch, and museum directors report to Secretary Lonnie Bunch, who is overseen by a Board of Regents. Trump's push for changes at the Smithsonian is part of a wider effort to reshape cultural institutions he sees as out of step with conservative views. He had himself installed as chairman of the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to overhaul its programming, and a board chosen by him voted to add his name to the building, before a federal judge later ordered those signs to be removed.

Trump has also pushed changes at historical sites outside Washington. In Philadelphia, the administration won a court ruling last week allowing it to reinstall interpretive panels that critics say whitewash the history of slavery at the site of President George Washington's home. For months, advocates, academics and officials have raised concerns that the version backed by Trump's order could play down the pain of the nation's past in favour of a more triumphant account. In March, Trump had signalled his plans for the Smithsonian through an executive order targeting funding for programmes that advanced "divisive narratives" and "improper ideology". Friday's order extends that effort through signage and a proposed temporary display outside the museum.

With PTI Inputs

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