The Smithsonian Museum is once again under scrutiny by the Trump White House, this time for the contents of an ongoing exhibition.
The exhibition in question is the “Entertainment Nation”, which has been on display at the National Museum of American History since 2022. The exhibition seeks to critique and highlight the impact of the American entertainment industry on American society. For instance, it talks about how the character of Mickey Mouse, first introduced in 1928, is a caricature of blackface and minstrel shows. Or how a 1923 circus poster is linked to the colonizing mindset of conquering and taming everything.
However, the exhibition has now drawn disfavour from the White House. According to Lindsey Halligan, a consulting lawyer to the Trump administration, the exhibition is “part of the problem the Trump Administration aims to fix. Framing American culture as inherently violent, imperialist, or racist does not reflect the greatness of our nation or the millions of Americans who have contributed to its progress.” A review is underway by White House officials and the Smithsonian’s Board of Regents (which itself is comprised of half Congress officials and half civilians). The museum has agreed to cooperate with the review.
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The Smithsonian is a private entity but receives two-thirds of its funds from the federal government. Since coming to power, the Donald Trump White House has been particularly at odds with the museums. Within six months, it had caused the Smithsonian to close its DEI office, received instructions to remove “anti-American” content, and led to the departure of National Portrait Gallery Director Kim Sajet.
