White House pushes Smithsonian to comply with review to receive federal funding

Source: CNN Politics

PUBLISHED Dec 21, 2025, 5:20 PM ET


The Trump administration has signaled to the Smithsonian Institution that the White House could withhold federal funding from the museum organization if it does not comply with the administration’s unprecedented, sweeping review.

In a Thursday letter to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III, White House officials said funds are available only “for use in a manner consistent” with President Donald Trump’s executive order from March, which tasked aides with rooting out “ideological indoctrination or divisive narratives” within the organization.

Tensions between the White House and the Smithsonian ramped up in August, when the administration asked the organization to turn over an array of materials, including gallery labels, future exhibition plans and internal communications about artwork selection.

The White House officials said materials the Smithsonian handed over in September “fell far short of what was requested, and the overwhelming majority of requested items remain outstanding.” CNN has reached out to the Smithsonian for comment.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/21/politics/white-house-smithsonian-review