All articles tagged with #smithsonian
The National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. has swapped in a new black-and-white Trump portrait and removed wall text about his impeachments and the Jan. 6 insurrection as part of a planned gallery refresh; Smithsonian officials say impeachment history remains represented in other museums, while the White House touts the new display.
A rare near-complete skull of a Pachycephalosaurus, a dome-headed herbivore from the Cretaceous Period, was found in South Dakota and will be displayed at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History for a limited time. The fossil is significant due to its rarity and the insights it provides into dinosaurs living just before their extinction, and it was donated by philanthropists Eric and Wendy Schmidt.
Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., have closed due to the ongoing government shutdown, which has entered its third week, affecting federal funding and operations, though animal care continues. The shutdown has led to significant financial and visitor losses, with political disagreements delaying a funding resolution.
The Smithsonian museums and National Zoo in Washington, D.C., are closing due to the ongoing government shutdown, affecting all 21 museums and research centers, though animal care will continue. The shutdown has also led to closures of some national parks and layoffs of federal employees, highlighting the broader impact of the funding dispute.
The Smithsonian American Art Museum's planned exhibition on race and American sculpture, initiated in 2019, faces challenges due to the current political climate's hostility towards diversity and racial dialogue, highlighting ongoing issues of white supremacy and racial disparities in the U.S.
Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III reaffirmed the institution's independence in a letter to the White House amid a planned review of its exhibits by the Trump administration, emphasizing that the Smithsonian will control its programming and content, and will conduct its own internal review before briefing the White House.
Four Democratic senators have urged the Smithsonian to resist White House efforts to influence its content and maintain its independence, amid recent criticisms and proposed audits by the Trump administration. They emphasize that the Smithsonian is a federally funded, independent trust managed by Congress, not the executive branch, and should be protected from political interference.
The White House is pressuring the Smithsonian to alter exhibits and reshape American history, reflecting ongoing cultural and political conflicts over how the nation's story is told.
The article examines President Trump's criticism of the Smithsonian museums, claiming they are too 'woke' and focus excessively on negative aspects of American history, particularly slavery and race. It details a White House review of the museums' exhibits, the potential implications, and public reactions, emphasizing that most visitors see the museums as balanced and truthful in their portrayal of history.
A visit to the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History reveals the complex duality of American identity, showcasing both achievements and darker chapters like slavery and colonialism. President Trump criticizes the museum for emphasizing negative aspects of American history and seeks a narrative focused on pride and success. The museum, however, presents a nuanced view, exploring America's triumphs alongside its sins, prompting reflection on patriotism, diversity, and the nation's future.
Initially, President Trump expressed admiration for the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, calling it a meaningful reminder to fight bigotry and hatred, but he later criticized the museum, indicating a change in stance.
A top Democrat, Hakeem Jeffries, criticized Donald Trump for his comments about the Smithsonian Institution, calling him a 'racial arsonist' for his remarks on how American history, including slavery, is portrayed. Jeffries emphasized the importance of the Smithsonian's role in accurately representing painful parts of history, while Trump suggested reviewing museum collections, leading to controversy over the depiction of race and history in American museums.
The White House listed certain Smithsonian artworks and exhibitions as objectionable, focusing on themes like race, immigration, and sexuality, prompting responses from artists and scholars who fear censorship and political influence on art and history.
The Trump administration has initiated a comprehensive review of the Smithsonian Institution's museums to address concerns over ideological bias and content accuracy, aiming to realign the institution with American values and reduce leftist influence in cultural narratives.
The Trump administration criticized Smithsonian museum exhibits related to race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality, accusing them of promoting 'woke' ideology and attempting to reshape history, as part of a broader effort to remove what they deem 'improper ideology' from public institutions.