Smithsonian Director Defends Museum Against White House Critique

WHO:

ABC News - Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch disputes the White House report.

NPR - Lonnie G. Bunch III is the Secretary of the Smithsonian.

NPR - Anthea Hartig is the director of the National Museum of American History.

WHAT:

ABC News - The White House report accuses the Smithsonian of presenting a "radical view" of American history.

NPR - The report is 162 pages long and characterizes the National Museum of American History as being "subject to institutional capture by a radical, activist ideology."

NPR - The report criticizes the museum for underemphasizing the Founding Fathers and early colonial and Revolutionary history.

NPR - The report claims the museum is not sufficiently celebratory of the country's 250th anniversary.

NPR - The report accuses the museum of engaging in "anti-white," "illegal alien," and transgender activism.

NPR - The report states that the museum attempts to "indoctrinate" teachers and students through its exhibitions and programming.

NPR - The Trump administration requested a "comprehensive internal review" of eight Smithsonian museums in August 2025.

NPR - An executive order issued by Trump in March 2025 called for the removal of "improper ideology" from the Smithsonian's offerings.

WHERE:

NPR - The National Museum of American History is part of the Smithsonian Institution.

WHEN:

NPR - The White House report was issued on July 4.

NPR - Trump issued an executive order in March 2025.

WHY:

NPR - The White House report aims to reshape cultural narratives to align with the Trump administration's viewpoints.

HOW:

NPR - Bunch emphasized the Smithsonian's commitment to scholarship, accuracy, and integrity in his memo to staff.

(UPDATED July 10, 2026 11:55 UTC)

Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch is disputing a recent White House report that accuses the Smithsonian of presenting a "radical view" of American history, characterizing the National Museum of American History as being influenced by a "radical, activist ideology." The 162-page report claims the museum underemphasizes the Founding Fathers and is not sufficiently celebratory of the country's upcoming 250th anniversary, while also alleging that it engages in various forms of activism. In response, Bunch highlighted the Smithsonian's dedication to scholarship, accuracy, and integrity in a memo to staff.