Former President Donald Trump has launched a blistering broadside against one of America's most prestigious cultural institutions, the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, branding it "out of control" for its focus on the history of slavery.
In a characteristically fiery speech delivered to a rally in Pennsylvania, Trump accused the museum of presenting a distorted and negative view of American history. He pledged that if returned to the White House, his administration would establish a counter-institution—a "real" American history museum celebrating the nation's "glorious" achievements.
A Pledge to Counter 'Woke' Narratives
The former president's promise is a direct escalation of the ongoing culture wars, positioning himself as the defender of a traditional, patriotic narrative against what he and his supporters label "woke" ideologies. His comments specifically targeted the museum's foundational exhibits, which detail the brutal realities of the transatlantic slave trade and its enduring legacy.
"We will build a real American history museum," Trump declared to his supporters, "that tells the story of our glorious nation, not a story of division and shame."
Reactions and Repercussions
The incendiary remarks have ignited a firestorm of criticism from historians, educators, and political opponents. Defenders of the museum argue that an honest account of slavery and systemic racism is not an attempt to induce shame but a necessary reckoning with the nation's past to fully understand its present.
This is not the first time Trump has clashed with the Smithsonian. His latest threat signals a potential future where federal funding and support for cultural institutions could be contingent on their alignment with a specific, politically-charged version of history, setting the stage for a profound battle over American memory and identity.
