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Trump's plan: Check museums for ideology before the USA's 250th birthday!
The US government examines museum exhibitions for partisan narratives. The aim is to control the image of history before the 250th anniversary.
Trump's plan: Check museums for ideology before the USA's 250th birthday!
These days, the cultural heritage of the United States is once again at the center of political discussion. How Radio Euskirchen reported today that the US government under President Donald Trump has ordered a comprehensive review of exhibitions at leading museums. The move aims to investigate whether exhibitions promote “divisive or partisan” narratives ahead of the 250th anniversary of the United States next year.
The White House included the Smithsonian Institution, Washington's premier collection of museums, in this review. Exhibition texts, wall inscriptions and educational documents should be checked for their tone and historical classification. Museums are requested to submit their exhibition concepts and ongoing programs within 30 days. The houses directly affected include the National Museum of American History and the National Air and Space Museum, to name just a few.
The political background
This decision is no coincidence. In the spring, President Trump issued an executive order ordering museums to adapt their historical representations in accordance with the government's interests. He himself expressed concern that attempts have been made in recent years to rewrite US history, which he dislikes. In particular, he criticizes the portrayal of national heritage as racist or oppressive, such as Mirror explained in a detailed article.
This review will be led by Vice J.D. Vance, who was tasked by Trump with enforcing these cultural changes at both the museums and the Washington Zoo. In the background is the plan to interpret US history in a new light that would portray the nation's heritage as entirely positive. These efforts are also a response to The New York Times' 1619 Project, which addressed the role of slavery and racism in history.
The reactions of historians
German historians are concerned about this development. Historian Donald Nieman called racism an “original sin of the nation” and warned that Trump’s revision of history was dangerous. In his opinion, this approach hinders the necessary engagement with the past, which, especially in view of the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026, could at worst lead to a one-sided historiography ZDF held on.
How these reviews will impact museums remains to be seen. One thing is certain: cultural policy in the United States faces major challenges, and the debate over the representation of national history is far from resolved.