Smithsonian History Exhibits Face Criticism Over Activist Narrative

Historian Dr. Jody Edward Ginn returned to the National Museum of American History after ten years and said the Smithsonian has shifted from a focus on education to promoting activism, citing what he described as factual inaccuracies and omitted information.

An editorial notes that the Trump administration issued an executive order directing signage at Smithsonian sites to warn visitors of “inaccurate” exhibits, accusing the museums of extreme political activism and “whitewashing” American history. Both pieces argue the institution is being used to advance a social‑justice agenda rather than present an objective historical record.