Lonnie G. Bunch III

The Smithsonian Institution receives over $1 billion annually in taxpayer funding but faces mounting scrutiny regarding its focus on DEI priorities and ideological portrayals of American history. President Donald Trump's administration has targeted the budget, proposing reductions following White House reports that accuse the institution of advancing left-wing agendas. Criticism cited includes America 250 exhibiting an ideologically imbalanced account of history.

The Smithsonian has relied on over $1 billion annually in taxpayer funding despite facing scrutiny regarding its DEI priorities and ideological portrayals of American history. The White House has proposed budget reductions for the institution following a review that issued a report accusing it of advancing certain agendas. The controversy includes criticisms that exhibits, such as America 250, were ideologically imbalanced.

Lonnie Bunch III, the Smithsonian Institution secretary, earned over $4.4 million in base salary and benefits from 2020-2024. The Smithsonian uses private trust funds for executive pay to comply with federal caps, but federal taxpayers fund 60% of the institution. Bunch has promoted DEI as central to museum excellence and is associated with the 1619 Project, which faces criticism for historical inaccuracies.

The Smithsonian Institution rejected President Donald Trump's 'anti-American' charge, defending its nonpartisan history amid a White House report accusing it of promoting a 'radical, activist ideology.' The report claims the National Museum of American History downplays U.S. achievements and emphasizes injustices, while Smithsonian officials and academics argue the report itself promotes a biased, nationalistic vision.

President Donald Trump’s White House report accuses the Smithsonian Institution and its National Museum of American History of promoting a 'radical, activist ideology' that downplays U.S. achievements and highlights injustices. The Smithsonian defends its nonpartisan mission, while historians argue the report seeks to impose a nationalist vision of American history aligned with the MAGA movement.

The Smithsonian Institution rejects President Donald Trump's claim that it promotes an 'anti-American' ideology, emphasizing its nonpartisan history. A White House report accused the National Museum of American History of downplaying U.S. achievements and promoting injustices related to race and gender, but academics argue the report itself promotes a nationalist ideology. Smithsonian officials and experts defend the institution's commitment to impartial historical scholarship.

The Smithsonian Institution rejects President Trump's criticism of its nonpartisan history, countering a White House report that accuses it of promoting a 'radical, activist ideology.' The report claims the National Museum of American History downplays U.S. achievements and emphasizes injustices, but Smithsonian officials and academics argue it is an attempt to impose a nationalistic vision of American history.

The Smithsonian Institution rejected accusations from a White House report alleging it promotes a 'radical, activist ideology' in its historical narratives. The report, which criticizes the National Museum of American History for downplaying U.S. achievements and emphasizing injustices, was described by academics and Smithsonian officials as an attempt to impose a nationalistic vision rather than maintain nonpartisan historical scholarship.

The Smithsonian Institution rejects claims by President Donald Trump that it promotes 'anti-American' values, defending its nonpartisan history. A White House report accuses the National Museum of American History of adopting an 'ideological framework' that downplays U.S. achievements and emphasizes injustices, but the Smithsonian maintains its commitment to impartial scholarship.