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Exclusive: The Trump administration has turned its attention to the Smithsonian facility, accusing the taxpayer-funded museum complex of using federal dollars to promote a “unilateral, divisive political tale” that doesn’t respect the greatness of American narratives.
In an exclusive email to Fox News Digital, White House official Lindsay Harrigan blows up content currently on display at the Entertainment Nation exhibition in National American History.
The exhibit exploring American pop culture has elicited internal and external criticism of what is considered a politically loaded interpretation of cultural milestones.
“American taxpayers should not fund institutions that undermine our country or promote one-sided, divisive political narratives,” Harrigan said. “Smithsonian facilities need to present history in an accurate and balanced way that matches the value that makes the United States exceptional.”
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The C-3PO and R2-D2 costumes are on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, with a panel celebrating Star Wars for inspiring America during post-Vietnam uncertainty and Nixon-era scandals. (Fox News Digital)
The White House statement comes just after some impressive examples from the exhibit.
One placard featured alongside the 1923 circus poster reads, “Under the big top, the circus expressed the colonial impulse to assert control over the world.” The other declares that it describes early American entertainment. “One of the earliest and most decisive features of the United States was extraordinary violence.”
The exhibit reconstructs iconic American characters through a critical, politically charged lens. In The Lonely Ranger, the display states:
Mickey Mouse, a beloved American cultural icon, is also unsatisfied. 1928 cartoon steamship state display “Mickey challenged authority, but not everyone is joking.”
“Mickey Mouse debuted in 1928 as a deck hand “Steamboat Willy.” Amidst the growing anxiety that many felt that modern life and urban life were eroding family and community connections and loosening moral codes…but the new character traits, white gloves and trickster temperament were traces of the long tradition of black face minstals.
Referring to the Indiana Jones film series, another panel wrote:
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The Smithsonian exhibit placards at the National Museum of American History describe circus performances in the 1920s as representing “the colonial impulses that assert control over the world.” (Fox News Digital)
One panel calls Magnum a challenge to “general perceptions of Vietnamese veterans.” Jon Stewart’s Daily Show section calls it “Popular for politicians and viewers who distrust the reporting process.”
Another panel highlights late pop star Serena Quintanira Perez and frames her cultural influence through the politics of identity.
“Serena let us talk about identity,” quoted the late singer from the reading, “I am extremely proud to be Mexican.”
The text continues, saying that her work “shes light on the longstanding cultural and growing political influence of Mexican-American and Latino communities within the United States.”
“example [Fox News Digital] The highlights from the National Museum of American History are part of the issues the Trump administration is seeking to fix,” Harrigan said.
The Smithsonian National Museum of American History explores changing gender norms featuring Maywest, Judi Garland and Olympic swimmer Gertrude Edel. The background includes English and Spanish quotes. “When I’m in the wrong, I’m better.” (Fox News Digital)
Harrigan confirmed that a top-to-bottom content review is already underway due to opinions from senior Smithsonian leaders and committees. “We work with the Smithsonian leadership to audit and review all the content of the museum,” she said.
She added, “We will provide you with updates on this audit as progress unfolds.”
The Smithsonian Agency responded to Fox News Digital in the following brief written statement: “The museum is committed to continuous and rigorous scholarships and research and impartial presentations of facts and history. As previously announced, it evaluates the content of the Smithsonian Museum and makes the necessary changes to ensure that the content meets the criteria.”
The institution did not answer specific questions regarding who wrote the Entertainment Nation exhibition, whether it was involved with outside academic consultants and activist organizations, or whether it had decided to display all the exhibit texts in English and Spanish.
The controversy says President Donald Trump has restructured his cultural institutions and headed left.
In March, Trump issued an executive order directing the committee to eliminate “inappropriate, split or anti-American ideology” from the Smithsonian Museum. He accused what he called the “revised movement” of claiming “by casting historical milestones in a negative light by undermining the prominent US achievements.”
The Regent Committee includes the Vice President, the U.S. Supreme Court Justice, six members of Congress, and nine citizen intakes.
Vice President J.D. Vice President J.D. Vance and Rep. Carlos Guimenez are both recent appointees and advocate for a quick review of the Smithsonian content. Giménez confirmed tensions at the board’s June meeting in a previous interview with the Wall Street Journal, despite finally reaching a compromise.
The Smithsonian receives about two-thirds of its annual budget from the federal budget.
The Entertainment Nation exhibition, which opened in December 2022, was billed as a permanent exhibition to “celebrate the power of popular culture to shape and reflect history.” Located in the main space on the museum’s West Wing, it features artifacts and media in film, television, sports and music.
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The museum’s stated goal is to explore how entertainment intersects with American identity, but the Trump administration claims that instead uses culture to smuggle it with the values most Americans have and often ideology.
“Americans deserve Smithsonians who inspire the pride of the people, speak the truth and reflect the greatness of this country,” Harrigan said. “It does not serve as an agent for social change and cultural subversion.”
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