Smithsonian Institution stories

Sep 12, 2026

Trump demands Smithsonian install 30-foot George Washington statue

President Trump called on the Smithsonian Institution to install a 30-foot "Colossus statue" of George Washington outside the National Museum of American History and create a special exhibit honoring the first president.

Sep 12, 20267 sources

Sep 8, 2026

Lonnie Bunch to retire as Smithsonian secretary amid Trump administration pressure

Lonnie Bunch III, the first Black secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, announced he will retire by year's end after months of Trump administration attacks on museum content and independence.

Sep 8, 202624 sources

Jul 24, 2026

Trump orders signs at Smithsonian claiming exhibits are inaccurate

President Trump ordered his administration to install signs at the Smithsonian's U.S. history museum stating that some exhibits are inaccurate, following a report criticizing the museum's historical presentation.

Jul 24, 20262 sources

Top claims

▪Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lonnie Bunch announced in September 2026 that he will step down from his role by the end of the year
▪President Donald Trump ordered the Department of the Interior in July 2026 to display signs outside the National Museum of American History notifying visitors that exhibits should be renovated
▪President Donald Trump criticized the "Infinity" sculpture on Truth Social, stating that the modernist artwork tells visitors nothing about America, inspires no one, and honors no American heroes

People involved

Donald Trump Lonnie G. Bunch III

Subtopics

Trump administration3 Cultural institutions1 Historical interpretation1 Presidential memorials1

Related timelines