Trump's Bold Move: What Are the New Signs Outside the Smithsonian?

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing the installation of temporary exhibits and warning signs outside the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, saying they will correct what his administration describes as "inaccurate information" presented inside the museum.

The order instructs the Interior Department and National Park Service to place signage along museum walkways informing visitors of a recent White House report criticizing the Smithsonian's portrayal of American history and directing them to what the administration calls "accurate information" about the nation's past.

Newsweek contacted the White House early Saturday via email and online form for comment.

The move is the latest step in Trump's wider effort to reshape how American history is presented at federally supported museums and cultural institutions.

What Did The White House Report Say?

The executive order is based on a 162-page White House Domestic Policy Council report released on July 4 titled Saving America's Story: How Ideological Capture at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History Erases Our Heritage.

As previously reported by Newsweek, earlier this month, the Trump administration accused the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History of promoting "ideological activism" over historical scholarship, and argued exhibits on race, gender, immigration and sexuality have distorted the nation's story.

The report argues that the museum no longer presents American history as "a shared national inheritance," instead accusing Smithsonian leadership of using history to advance social justice causes. It claims the institution focuses disproportionately on slavery, racism, inequality and other historical failings while failing to adequately celebrate the nation's founding, achievements and democratic traditions.

Among its recommendations, the report proposed posting warning signs stating that museum exhibits were created by people who "don't want you to love your country," increasing recognition of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence during America's 250th anniversary, and revising exhibits the administration considers ideologically biased.

The White House pulled out several of the report's findings in a social media thread earlier this month, pointing to museum displays and educational materials that administration officials described as examples of "degeneracy" and political activism.

A Smithsonian spokesperson previously told Newsweek: "For more than 180 years, the Smithsonian has served the American public with nonpartisan and independent scholarship, and we remain committed to doing so."

Which Exhibits Were Criticized?

The report singled out several displays inside the National Museum of American History.

It criticized the museum's "Girlhood (It's Complicated)" exhibition, arguing that its discussion of gender identity and transgender experiences reflects political activism rather than historical interpretation. Republicans also questioned the exhibit during recent congressional hearings.

The administration also faulted the museum for what it described as insufficient recognition of the Declaration of Independence and its signers during the nation's semi-quincentennial celebrations. The new executive order specifically says temporary outdoor exhibits should address what it calls those omissions.

As reported by The New York Times, Museum Director Anthea Hartig has rejected the White House's characterization, telling lawmakers that the museum follows rigorous historical scholarship while presenting both America's achievements and shortcomings.

Trump's Smithsonian Timeline

March 27, 2025: Trump signed Executive Order 14253, "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," directing Vice President JD Vance, a Smithsonian regent, to work toward eliminating what the administration called "divisive" ideology from Smithsonian museums and linking future federal funding to those goals.

August 12, 2025: The White House ordered a sweeping review of Smithsonian exhibitions, educational materials and public messaging to determine whether they aligned with the administration's vision for the country's 250th anniversary.

July 4, 2026: The Domestic Policy Council released Saving America's Story, accusing Smithsonian leadership of ideological bias and recommending major changes to museum exhibits and messaging.

July 24, 2026: Trump signed the latest executive order requiring warning signs and temporary exhibits outside the National Museum of American History to counter what the administration says is inaccurate historical information presented inside the museum.

Contact Newsweek editor on this story: Edward Pearcey.