By South China Morning Post | Created at 2025-03-31 11:21:23 | Updated at 2025-04-02 01:32:14
1 day ago
Washington’s Smithsonian is a sprawling chain of museums dedicated to both celebrating and scrutinising the American story. It is also the latest cultural institution targeted by President Donald Trump’s bid to quash diversity efforts.
His recent executive order to excavate “divisive ideology” from the famed visitor attraction and research complex follows a wave of efforts to keep culture and history defined on his terms, including his takeover of the national capital’s prestigious performing arts venue, the Kennedy Centre.
The order has got critics up in arms.
“It’s a declaration of war,” said David Blight of Yale University, in the US state of Connecticut, who leads the Organisation of American Historians.
“It is arrogant and appalling for them to claim they have the power and the right to say what history actually is and how it should be exhibited, written and taught,” he added.
Trump’s latest order also says monuments to the historic Confederate rebellion, many of which were removed in recent years in the wake of anti-racism protests, might soon be restored.
