From Praise to Criticism: Trump's Changing Stance
President Donald J. Trump’s relationship with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture has taken a dramatic turn. During a visit on February 21, 2017, shortly after the museum opened, Trump expressed admiration for the institution, calling it 'incredible' and 'done with love.' He highlighted its role as 'a meaningful reminder of why we have to fight bigotry, intolerance, and hatred in all of its very ugly forms,' as reported by multiple sources covering the event.
Fast forward to recent months in 2025, and the tone has shifted significantly. Trump has criticized the museum, suggesting it focuses too much on negative aspects of American history, such as slavery. This reversal has caught the attention of historians, activists, and the public, who note the stark contrast between his earlier praise and current stance. The museum, which opened in 2016 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., has been a celebrated space for documenting the African American experience, making this change in rhetoric particularly striking.
Executive Order Targets Smithsonian Institutions
In a controversial move earlier this year, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at reviewing content across Smithsonian institutions, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Signed in March 2025, the order tasks Vice President JD Vance with overseeing efforts to 'remove improper ideology' from these cultural spaces. Critics, including Professor Kyle Mays, have labeled this action a 'fascist move,' arguing it threatens to rewrite or erase parts of American history that are deemed uncomfortable or divisive by the administration.
The executive order has sparked widespread concern among historians and activists who fear it could undermine the museum’s mission to present an unfiltered look at the nation’s past, including the brutal realities of slavery and systemic racism. Reports indicate that Trump has specifically targeted exhibits for focusing excessively on 'how bad slavery was,' a statement that has fueled debates over how history should be taught and remembered in public institutions.
Public and Scholarly Reactions to the Controversy
The public response to Trump’s criticism and subsequent actions has been mixed, reflecting broader divisions over history and patriotism. Visitors to the museum have expressed varied opinions, with some supporting the idea of a more 'balanced' portrayal of history, while others defend the museum’s unflinching approach to difficult topics. Social media posts on X reveal a polarized sentiment, with users either decrying the executive order as an attempt to whitewash history or agreeing with Trump’s assertion that certain narratives are overly negative.
Scholars and cultural critics have also weighed in, emphasizing the importance of preserving historical accuracy. The museum, as part of the Smithsonian Institution—one of the country’s most prominent cultural entities—stands at the center of a larger debate about who gets to define America’s story. As this controversy unfolds, it remains unclear how the executive order will impact the museum’s exhibits or mission, but the clash between past praise and present criticism continues to resonate deeply across the nation.