Arts Oct 12 Smithsonian's American Latino museum finds permanent home on National Mall By Geoff Bennett, Anne Azzi Davenport, Solveig Rennan Sandbulte
Politics Sep 12 Trump asks Smithsonian to install George Washington statues and exhibit Trump asked for an exhibit beginning now and continuing through Feb. 22, 2032, the 300th anniversary of Washington’s birth. For Constitution Day on Sept. 17, Trump asked the institution to install the 11-foot statue of Washington featured at the recent… By Jaimie Ding, Associated Press
World Sep 08 Watch 10:53 Lonnie Bunch on his legacy and protecting the Smithsonian from political pressure Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch announced that he is stepping down as the institution he leads faces an escalating battle with the Trump administration over how it tells the American story. Geoff Bennett spoke with Bunch about the political pressure, what’s… By Geoff Bennett, Anne Azzi Davenport, Courtney Norris, Hunter Bonaparte, Amalia Huot-Marchand
Politics Jul 22 WATCH: House holds hearing on oversight of Smithsonian's National Museum of American History The director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History pushed back Tuesday against a recent White House report that branded the institution's leadership as radical activists who cannot be trusted. By News Desk and Associated Press
Politics Jul 05 White House report brands Smithsonian leadership as radical activists who can't be trusted The report released late on Independence Day by the White House Domestic Policy Council comes in the midst of Trump’s aggressive campaign to overhaul some of Washington's most sacred cultural and historic institutions. By Steve Peoples, Associated Press
Feb 18 Melania Trump to donate 2025 inaugural ball gown to the Smithsonian By Associated Press The strapless black-and-white gown was designed by her longtime fashion designer and stylist, Herve Pierre. Continue reading
Jan 13 Smithsonian pressured to show Trump its plans for exhibits for America's 250th birthday By Meg Kinnard, Gary Fields, Calvin Woodward, Associated Press The Smithsonian Institution gave the White House new documents on its planned exhibits Tuesday in response to a demand to share precise details of what its museums and other programs are doing for America's 250th birthday. The intent is to… Continue reading
Sep 25 Watch 8:34 Citizen historians document Smithsonian exhibits under White House scrutiny By Jeffrey Brown, Maea Lenei Buhre, Mike Fritz, Cali Steffenhagen The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education and research complex. It's a public-private trust that has long operated at arm's length from the White House, but now finds itself under unprecedented scrutiny from the Trump administration. Jeffrey Brown… Continue watching
Aug 20 Watch 7:10 Scholar says Trump's efforts to reframe U.S. history is 'reminiscent of McCarthyism' By Amna Nawaz, Simon Epstein, Doug Adams, Ian Couzens, Jenna Bloom President Trump described Smithsonian museums as “out of control” for emphasizing, in his view, “how bad slavery was.” It's part of a pattern by Trump in his second term to reframe historical narratives, in particular about racism and discrimination. Amna… Continue watching
Aug 19 Trump amplifies attacks on 'out of control' Smithsonian museums for including negative parts of American history By Associated Press Trump, who has been at odd with various cultural institutions since returning to office in January, added that he had “instructed” his attorneys to begin the “exact same process” he has used against colleges and universities.”… Continue reading