TL/DR –
President Donald Trump issued an executive order requiring “warning” signs to be installed outside the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History due to alleged “inaccurate information.” The order follows a White House report which claimed the museum does not present America’s story honestly. The signs will inform visitors of the White House report and direct them to “locations and resources for accurate information regarding America’s history.”
Smithsonian Exhibits Under Scrutiny by President Trump
President Donald Trump is implementing a new approach to change the exhibits within the Smithsonian Institution’s museums. Trump imposed that “warning” signs should be placed before the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History to notify visitors of the “misinformation displayed in the Museum.”
Following a White House report on July 4 alleging the museum’s biased presentation of America’s history, the president issued the executive order.
Earlier in March 2025, Trump expressed his intent for changes at the Smithsonian Institution through an executive order addressing “divisive narratives” and “improper ideology.”
In Friday’s order, Trump accused the Smithsonian leadership of promoting social justice ideas and radical societal transformation rather than celebrating America’s shared history.
Trump’s directives require Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and the National Park Service to install temporary signage guiding public access to the Museum.
The signs will reference the report and Trump’s demand for its enforcement per his earlier executive order.
The president insists the signs will correct museum misinformation and guide visitors to accurate resources about America’s history.
Trump has also tasked Burgum, Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, and the assistant to the president for domestic policy to enforce the order’s policies.
Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch defended the institution earlier this month, asserting that the White House’s report doesn’t fairly represent the National Museum of American History.
He professed the Smithsonian’s dedication to accurate representation of America’s story through its work.