July 25, 2026, 08:55July 25, 2026, 08:55
US President Donald Trump wants to brand a museum of American history that he dislikes with warning signs in front of the entrance. Along the paths leading to the National Museum of American History in Washington, the signs are intended to correct alleged misinformation in exhibitions, according to a Trump order released by the White House. The reason given was that this would counteract the “ideological appropriation” of the museum.
The National Museum of American History in Washington.Image: keystone
With the decree, the US government is tightening its crackdown on famous museums in the capital. Critics accuse Trump of distorting history and of initiating a real culture war by suppressing uncomfortable truths about slavery, discrimination against minorities and other grievances. To do this, he is also prepared to restrict artistic freedom and freedom of expression – an accusation that the political right also makes to left-liberal circles in the USA.
What should be on the warning signs
The National Museum of American History is part of the Smithsonian Institution, which operates numerous famous exhibition venues in the heart of Washington. They attract tourists from all over the world. According to the government, the warning signs are intended to provide reliable information about the history of America that would be withheld from visitors. The order did not say exactly when they should be set up.
The Trump administration has long accused the management of the Smithsonian Institution of showing exhibitions that are ideologically motivated. In the new order, Trump refers to an investigative report he initiated that concluded that the current leadership cannot be trusted to convey America’s history “honestly.”
Trump wants to see “our nation’s incomparable heritage” honored
A year ago, the Trump administration had exhibitions in famous museums in Washington inspected. In the context of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the USA, exhibition texts, wall inscriptions, websites and educational materials should be examined for tone, historical classification and “conformity with American ideals”.
Previously, Trump issued a decree requiring museums to work toward presenting history in the interests of the government. The Republican claims that over the past decade there have been “concerted and widespread attempts to rewrite our country’s history and replace facts with a distorted narrative driven by ideology rather than truth.” In the spirit of patriotism, “our nation’s incomparable heritage” should no longer be portrayed as sexist, racist or oppressive. (sda/dpa)