The White House has warned the Smithsonian Institution that it could lose federal funding if it does not fully comply with a broad review ordered by President Donald Trump. The warning marks a major escalation in tensions between the administration and the nation’s largest museum organization.
In a letter sent on Thursday to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III, White House officials stated that federal funds are only available if they are used in a manner that aligns with an executive order signed by Trump in March. That order directed aides to remove what the administration calls ideological or divisive narratives from the Smithsonian’s exhibits and programs.
The White House stated that the review aims to ensure museums present American history in a positive and unified manner. Officials argued that public institutions should not promote views they believe undermine national pride or focus too heavily on the country’s failures.
Tensions grew earlier this year when the administration asked the Smithsonian to provide a wide range of internal materials. These included exhibit labels, plans for future exhibitions, internal emails about artwork selection, and curatorial guidelines. The request was seen as highly unusual due to the level of detail and scope involved.
According to the White House, the Smithsonian turned over some documents in September. However, officials said the response did not meet expectations. In the letter, they wrote that most of the requested materials were still missing and that the submission fell far short of what had been demanded.
The letter was signed by senior White House officials and urged the Smithsonian to align more closely with the administration’s views on American history. It stated that museums should not appear hesitant or uncomfortable when presenting the nation’s founding or achievements. The officials said the public would not tolerate institutions that fail to show pride in the country’s record.
The Smithsonian has not publicly responded to the funding warning. The institution operates as a public-private trust and does not see itself as part of the executive branch. Still, the federal government provides about two-thirds of its budget, making it financially dependent on congressional and administrative support.
That dependence has become a key pressure point. The Trump administration has increasingly used funding authority to push agencies and institutions to follow its priorities. Through budget decisions, programs and offices that do not align with the president’s agenda have faced cuts or closures.
Trump ordered the Smithsonian review in August, saying the organization had lost control of its mission. He argued that exhibits focused too much on the nation’s past injustices and not enough on progress or achievement. The administration claims this approach creates division rather than unity.
The Smithsonian now has until January 13 to provide the remaining documents. The request includes organizational charts, curatorial manuals, future exhibit proposals, and detailed information about plans tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary next year. These exhibits are expected to draw global attention and public scrutiny.
Exhibits at the Smithsonian often take years to develop and involve extensive scholarly review. Experts say the level of detail requested by the White House would be difficult for any museum to provide on short notice. Some museum ethics specialists have warned that the demands could overwhelm staff and disrupt long-term planning.
Supporters of the Smithsonian argue that museums must be free to present complex history based on research and evidence, not political direction. They warn that outside pressure could threaten academic independence and public trust.
The White House, however, insists the review is necessary to ensure accountability for taxpayer dollars. Officials say public funding should not support narratives they believe misrepresent American values or history.
As the deadline approaches, the standoff raises broader questions about the role of government oversight in cultural institutions. The outcome could shape how museums balance independence with public funding and how history is presented to future generations.
The Smithsonian federal funding review now stands as a test case for the limits of executive influence over national cultural institutions and the future relationship between museums and the federal government.
