President Donald Trump has launched an aggressive push to reclaim what he calls the “truth” of American history.
With the stroke of a pen, he signed an executive order titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History”, vowing to purge what he describes as a “corrosive ideology” distorting the nation’s past.
The document asserts that a deliberate effort has been made to rewrite history, replacing facts with a biased narrative that fuels division and shame.
According to Trump, the Biden administration has allowed this ideological rewriting to undermine national unity, disregarding America’s achievements and the values that inspire millions.
Smithsonian in the Crosshairs
Trump’s order takes direct aim at the Smithsonian Institution, accusing it of promoting “improper ideology” through its museums, education programs, and research centers—including the National Zoo.
The directive instructs federal agencies to block funding for exhibits or programs that “degrade shared American values, divide Americans by race, or push ideologies that contradict federal law.”
It also mandates that the Smithsonian “not recognize men as women in any respect.”
Restoring ‘True’ American Monuments
The order calls for a sweeping review of public monuments, memorials, and historical markers removed or altered since 2020.
The Secretary of the Interior must investigate whether these changes were driven by what Trump calls a “false reconstruction” of history or partisan bias.
If so, the directive demands that these monuments be restored to their original state, ensuring they do not “disparage Americans, past or present.”
Kennedy Center Purge Sparks Backlash
Trump has also set his sights on the Kennedy Center, reshaping its leadership and programming.
After dismissing its board and installing himself as chairman, he has cracked down on what he sees as its embrace of “woke” culture.
The fallout has been swift—dozens of artists and productions have withdrawn, including the composer and lyricist of Fellow Travelers, an opera about the 1950s anti-gay Lavender Scare.
Big names like Hamilton producers, comedian Issa Rae, and musicians Ben Folds and Renée Fleming have also cut ties with the center.
The Kennedy Center recently released a list of 26 canceled shows, most due to artists and producers backing out.
Trump has made it clear: his battle to reshape America’s cultural and historical narrative is far from over.
