On March 27, 2025, President Donald Trump signed a powerful executive order titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” aiming to reshape how the United States remembers its past. Targeting what he calls “anti-American ideology,” Trump’s order focuses on major cultural institutions like the Smithsonian and historic sites like Independence Hall, claiming they’ve been overtaken by divisive, revisionist narratives. At its core, this move is about reclaiming a sense of national pride and pushing back against what the administration sees as a decade-long effort to rewrite history with a negative spin. Here’s what this means, why it’s happening, and what changes are coming.
A History Under Fire
The executive order starts with a bold claim: for the past ten years, America’s story has been hijacked. According to Trump, objective facts have been replaced with an “ideology-driven” version of history that paints the nation’s achievements—like its founding principles of liberty and equality—as racist, sexist, and oppressive. Instead of celebrating the U.S. as a beacon of progress, this narrative, the order argues, fosters shame and division. Think about it: the Declaration of Independence, signed in 1776, promised that “all men are created equal.” Yet, Trump says places like Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia—where that very document was born—have been twisted to focus on America’s flaws rather than its triumphs.
The Smithsonian Institution, a collection of 21 museums and a symbol of American excellence, is a key target. Once a place to inspire awe, it’s now accused of pushing ideas that tear down “Western values.” For example, the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s exhibit “The Shape of Power” claims sculptures have historically promoted “scientific racism” and that race is just a “human invention” used to oppress. Meanwhile, the National Museum of African American History and Culture has labeled traits like “hard work” and “individualism” as part of “White culture.” To Trump, these examples show a dangerous trend: institutions meant to educate are instead indoctrinating visitors with guilt.
What’s Changing?
Trump’s order doesn’t just complain—it acts. Here’s the plan:
- Saving the Smithsonian: Vice President JD Vance is tasked with scrubbing “improper ideology” from the Smithsonian’s museums, education centers, and even the National Zoo. This means rethinking exhibits to focus on “American greatness” rather than division. Future funding from Congress will also be tied to this goal—no money for programs that “degrade shared American values” or push racial divides. For instance, the upcoming American Women’s History Museum won’t celebrate male athletes in women’s sports, sticking strictly to honoring women’s achievements.
- Fixing Independence Hall: By July 4, 2026—the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence—Independence National Historical Park will get a major upgrade. The order slams the previous Biden administration for sponsoring training there that told park rangers their race should shape how they talk about history. Now, the focus will shift to celebrating the site’s role in America’s birth.
- Restoring Monuments: Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum will investigate federal monuments, statues, and markers removed or altered since 2020. If they were taken down to push a “false reconstruction” of history, they’re going back up. The goal? Highlight America’s progress and beauty, not its mistakes.
Why Now?
This isn’t just about museums—it’s about identity. Trump’s administration argues that the past decade, especially under Biden, saw a rise in what conservatives call “revisionist history.” They point to examples like the Smithsonian calling the nuclear family a “White” trait or park rangers being told to filter history through a racial lens. To them, this isn’t education; it’s propaganda meant to divide. With this order, signed just days ago on March 27, 2025, Trump is signaling a return to a unified, uplifting story of America—one that inspires rather than accuses.
The Bigger Picture
Critics might say this is just politics, a way for Trump to rally his base by fighting a culture war. Supporters, though, see it as a overdue correction, a chance to stop tearing down the past and start building pride. Either way, it’s a big shift. The Smithsonian, founded in 1846 as a public-private partnership, has long been a trusted source of knowledge. Now, it’s ground zero in a battle over how we define “truth” in history.
Imagine walking into a museum where every exhibit reminds you of what America has achieved—its innovations, its struggles overcome, its promise of liberty. That’s the vision Trump’s chasing. By March 28, 2025, as photos of the Smithsonian on the National Mall flooded the news, this executive order was already making waves. Whether it’s tearing down “anti-American” displays or rebuilding lost monuments, the message is clear: the past isn’t perfect, but it’s worth celebrating.
What do you think—should history focus on progress or problems? Trump’s betting on the former, and he’s using the full power of the presidency to make it happen.
