The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History has come under fire from the Trump administration for its “Entertainment Nation” exhibit. The permanent display, which opened in 2022, explores the impact of the entertainment industry on American pop culture over the past 150 years. White House spokesperson Lindsey Halligan criticized the exhibit, stating that it presents a “skewed view of American history” and that taxpayers should not be funding institutions that “undermine our country or promote one-sided, divisive political narratives.”
The exhibit features displays that frame various aspects of American pop culture through a critical lens.
A placard next to a 1923 circus poster claims that “circuses expressed the colonial impulse to claim dominion over the world.” The display on the character of Mickey Mouse suggests that his “outsized facial features, white gloves, and trickster temperament were vestiges of longstanding traditions of blackface minstrelsy.”
In response to the controversy, the Smithsonian issued a brief statement defending its scholarship and commitment to unbiased historical presentation.
Exhibit garners White House criticism
The institution stated that it is “committed to continuous and rigorous scholarship and research and unbiased presentation of facts and history” and that it is assessing the content in its museums to ensure it meets its standards.
Halligan revealed that a comprehensive review of all Smithsonian content is already underway, involving senior Smithsonian leaders and the Board of Regents. She emphasized the administration’s commitment to ensuring that the content “honors our country’s founding principles, tells the stories of American heroes, and does not promote fringe or activist ideologies masquerading as history.”
The controversy surrounding the “Entertainment Nation” exhibit is part of a larger debate about the role of cultural institutions in shaping public understanding of history and the Trump administration’s efforts to reshape these institutions. As the Smithsonian navigates this controversy, the assessment and potential changes to the exhibit will likely attract considerable public interest and scrutiny in the coming months.
