• Trump criticizes Smithsonian museums for emphasizing negative aspects of U.S. history.
• He claims the museums are "OUT OF CONTROL" and promote a "woke" agenda.
• The White House plans to review exhibits for alignment with Trump's vision of "American exceptionalism."
• Historians and civil rights advocates warn of potential censorship and historical erasure.
• The Smithsonian has been a frequent target in Trump’s campaign against perceived "woke" ideologies.

U.S. President Donald Trump recently escalated his criticism of the Smithsonian Institution, claiming its museums focus excessively on "how bad Slavery was" rather than celebrating America’s successes. He made these remarks on his social media platform, describing the Smithsonian as "OUT OF CONTROL" and asserting that its content portrays the country negatively, including discussions on slavery and the struggles of marginalized groups, while neglecting themes of success and brightness. “Nothing about Success, nothing about Brightness, nothing about the Future,” he stated in a post, illustrating his push for a more optimistic narrative about American history, according to Reuters and The Hill.

In tandem, the White House has initiated a review of the Smithsonian's 21 museums to ensure that their exhibits align with Trump's directives on historical representation. This effort is viewed as part of a broader attempt to diminish references to what he terms "divisive or ideologically driven" content. Specifically, the White House's directive stipulates that the Smithsonian replace certain exhibits with narratives deemed to convey a sense of unifying national pride, according to reports from ABC News and HuffPost.

Critics of Trump’s newfound focus on the Smithsonian, including historians and civil rights advocates, have expressed alarm at the implications of this censorship, warning that such actions represent an erasure of significant aspects of American history. Umbrella organizations like the American Alliance of Museums have condemned what they describe as growing governmental pressures, potentially intimidating institutions into self-censorship, as indicated by comments from NPR and LA Times.

Furthermore, Trump’s overarching directive extends beyond the Smithsonian, signaling potential scrutiny of cultural institutions nationwide. The implications of this strategy have raised concerns about federal oversight infringing on the independence and creative freedom of museums, which traditionally rely on public trust and scholarly integrity to reveal truthfully the multi-faceted narratives of American history, as noted by Al Jazeera and SCMP.

Trump's previous acknowledgment of the Smithsonian during his first term contrasts sharply with his recent attacks, hinting at a profound shift in how he perceives cultural narratives that do not align with his administration's ideology. The renewed efforts to review such institutions appear as part of a broader campaign against the “woke” movement, emphasizing an expectation for museums to focus on a historically positive depiction of the United States, according to sources like India Times and TRT Global.