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How the Smithsonian became the latest front in Trump’s culture war

The Trump White House released a 162-page report criticizing the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History for 'ideological capture,' targeting exhibits like one on Benjamin Franklin's enslavement practices. The Smithsonian, which draws ~15 million annual visitors, has historically stayed above political fray despite occasional controversies.

Background

The Smithsonian Institution has faced periodic controversies over exhibit content, including the 1995 Enola Gay exhibit debate at the National Air and Space Museum. Trump's administration has increasingly targeted cultural and educational institutions over perceived leftist bias.

Source
Ars Technica
Published
Sep 27, 2026 at 07:00 PM
Score
5.0 / 10