Smithsonian Defends Museum
Smithsonian leaders push back as Trump allies attack exhibits as woke and biased.
July 21, 2026 · Updated Jul 21, 7:00pm ET
Daily KosDemocrats expose Trump’s bigoted plot to erase history at Smithsonian
Associated PressSmithsonian history museum chief rejects White House criticism of its leaders as radical activists
FOX NewsWATCH: Smithsonian director pressed on woke exhibits: ‘Is Mickey Mouse racist?’
Raw StoryBoebert suffers 'white privilege' blowup at witness for 'making people feel guilty'
Roll CallRepublicans in Congress probe history museum, echoing Trump
TownhallThe Smithsonian National Museum of American History Had a Disastrous Hearing on the Hill
ABC News'The museum does not take sides': Smithsonian official defends institution amid Trump criticism
RedStateWatch: Brandon Gill Shows Museum Director No Mercy During Hearing on Wokeification of the Smithsonian
NPRSmithsonian too focused on 'oppressors and the oppressed,' say House Republicans
PJ MediaSmithsonian Director Humiliates Herself During House Hearing
FortuneSmithsonian director derides a White House report branding the museum as 'woke'
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What happened
Anthea M. Hartig
Anthea M. HartigAmerican historian and museum administrator, director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History
National Museum of American Historyhistory museum in Washington, D.C., a division of the Smithsonian Institution, defended the museum at a House hearing Tuesday after a 162-page White House report accused its leadership of “radical” activism. Hartig told lawmakers the museum “does not take sides” and rejected claims that its exhibits are insufficiently patriotic or politically captured. Republicans questioned her about displays and materials involving Mickey Mouse, racism, objectivity, gender and a “mass action toolkit.” House Democrats released a counterreport accusing Trump of trying to reshape Smithsonian presentations of U.S. history.
