The Trump administration is proposing the Smithsonian Institution's smallest budget request in years, a move accompanied by efforts to eliminate what it describes as "woke" ideology from federally funded museums and programs. This proposal marks a significant reduction, with the fiscal year 2026 and 2027 budget requests falling below $1 billion, the first time since fiscal year 2020.
The Smithsonian saw its funding requests increase during the Biden administration, rising from $1.11 billion in fiscal year 2021 to a record $1.24 billion in fiscal year 2024. The proposed cuts come as the White House undertakes an extensive review of the institution, arguing that it has promoted ideological narratives that deviate from its mission.
This review, spanning 16 months, has involved examining exhibits, educational programming, internal records, and leadership statements. It has also included document requests, curator interviews, and on-site museum walkthroughs. The effort culminated in a 162-page White House report detailing recommended reforms and new executive actions.
The administration has directed the Smithsonian to present a more accurate portrayal of American history and has scrutinized exhibits, programming, and leadership across the complex. The Smithsonian, which comprises 21 museums, the National Zoo, and houses nearly 157 million objects, receives over $1 billion annually in federal funding, supplemented by private donations and other trust revenue.
The institution has become a focal point in a national debate concerning patriotism, historical interpretation, and the role of federally funded cultural entities in shaping public understanding of the nation's past. The White House's budget proposal, alongside executive orders and the comprehensive report, indicates an intent to leverage both policy and federal funding to influence the direction of one of the country's largest cultural organizations. Whether Congress will adopt the administration's proposed funding levels remains to be determined.