Happy Thursday, Democrats. Welcome back to our #TrumpCheck series, the LACDP's weekly newsletter that holds the Trump administration accountable for its lies, deception, and self-serving actions.
School is in session for public and charter schools alike this week, even as debate over charter schools and 'ethnic studies' courses makes its way through the California legislature. One of the resources that teachers will be using in the early days of classes? The Smithsonian online archives, a free resource that provides access to primary sources of information to all Americans, including students and educators.
The Smithsonian is an "independent federal trust" established in 1846. While it receives approximately 62% of its funding from the federal government, it is an entirely independent organization, free from government oversight. Although this has not stopped Trump from targeting the Smithsonian as his latest focus in recent days.
Let's unpack the truth from the lies when it comes to the Trump administration and the arts and culture in the US.
- While discussing the Kennedy Center, a bureau of the Smithsonian Institution, Trump said that “We don’t need woke at the Kennedy Center, and we don’t need — some of the shows were terrible. They were a disgrace that they were even put on.” Trump went on to appoint himself as the new Chairman, announcing his plan in a Truth Social post.
FACT: In the same breath that he critiqued the 'woke' Kennedy Center shows, Trump revealed he had never actually seen a show at the Kennedy Center. "I didn't wanna go! There was nothing I wanted to see."
- In a Truth Social post on August 19th, Trump admonished the museum organization. "The Smithsonian is OUT OF CONTROL, where everything discussed is how horrible our Country is, how bad Slavery was, and how unaccomplished the downtrodden have been — Nothing about Success, nothing about Brightness, nothing about the Future." In August, the administration "told the Smithsonian to submit information about programming at eight of its 21 museums within a 75-day deadline, and that the White House would then direct possible changes in content," according to the New York Times.
FACT: The Executive branch has no legal authority to monitor the museum or its content. The guiding documents that established the governing structure of the Smithsonian organization in 1846 give oversight power to the appointed Secretary and a panel of regents, which includes the Vice President of the United States and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
- In the same August 19th Truth Social post, Trump says that he has "instructed my attorneys to go through the Museums, and start the exact same process that has been done with Colleges and Universities, where tremendous progress has been made. This Country cannot be WOKE, because WOKE IS BROKE."
FACT: As described by the president and CEO of the American Alliance of Museums, Marilyn Jackson, "The idea of extending federal reviews to the nation's 22,000 museums misunderstands how museums operate. The vast majority are independent nonprofits, guided by professional standards and community trust."
When it comes to such community trust, the Smithsonian has it. Polling from last week shows that 60% of registered voters are opposed to Trump's review of the Smithsonian materials, while only 33% support it.
The Republicans find new ways to embarrass themselves and hurt their own reputations every day. Let's fight back, Democrats. You can check your voter registration status here. Voting is the #1 tool that Americans have against MAGA. The next step in standing up to the Trump administration is setting the record straight; correcting misinformation is a job for us all. If you had this email forwarded, you can sign up for the #TrumpCheck newsletter here.
Stay safe, stay strong, and keep up the good fight, Democrats.
We'll be back at defending the truth next week. Until then, stay tuned to our social media channels, linked below, for updates on the LACDP's fight against Trump.
In Solidarity,
Team LACDP

