Smithsonian’s First Black Chief Pushes Back on Everything Trump Said

Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch strongly refuted President Trump’s criticisms, particularly a detailed 162-page report released on July 4 that he deemed a severe distortion of the Smithsonian’s mission and activities. Bunch emphasized in an internal letter that the report misrepresented the institution's scholarly work and its commitment to historical accuracy and public education. This pushback highlights a broader tension between cultural institutions and the current administration, underscoring the importance of preserving factual narratives and protecting cultural heritage from political agendas.