Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Restores Truth and Sanity to American History
March 27, 2025
Action Summary
- Restoring Historical Truth: Revitalize key cultural institutions to ensure American history is celebrated accurately and divisive, anti-American ideology is eliminated.
- Smithsonian Reforms: Direct the Vice President to remove improper or divisive ideologies from the Smithsonian’s museums, education centers, and the National Zoo, ensuring the institution ignites children’s imagination and celebrates American ingenuity.
- Congressional Coordination on Appropriations: Work with Congress to restrict funding for exhibits or programs that degrade shared American values and to support displays that celebrate American achievements, particularly at the American Women’s History Museum.
- Appointments to the Smithsonian Board of Regents: The Vice President, in tandem with congressional leaders, will appoint new board members dedicated to advancing America’s heritage and progress.
- Restoration of Federal Monuments and Sites: Instruct the Secretary of the Interior to restore federal parks, monuments, and historical sites that have been altered to present a misleading version of American history, with a special focus on Independence Hall by July 4, 2026.
- Combatting Divisive Ideology: Address recent trends of rewriting American history under previous administrations that promoted narratives undermining American achievements, with specific references to controversial exhibits and training influencing historical interpretation.
- Celebrating American Heritage: Establish initiatives, including a task force for America’s 250th birthday, monument protection measures, and enhancements to federal building architecture, to foster national pride and honor the nation’s storied past.
Risks & Considerations
- The Executive Order’s emphasis on eliminating “improper, divisive, or anti-American ideology” from cultural institutions like the Smithsonian could lead to significant changes in how history is presented. This may affect academic freedom and the ability to engage in critical discourse on historical narratives.
- There is a risk that the directive to prohibit funding for exhibits or programs that “degrade shared American values” could limit the scope of research and educational programs, potentially impacting Vanderbilt’s ability to secure federal grants for projects that explore complex historical and social issues.
- The focus on celebrating American heritage and progress may lead to a narrowing of perspectives in educational content, which could affect the diversity of thought and inclusivity in academic settings.
- Vanderbilt University may need to consider how these changes in federal policy could impact its programs related to history, culture, and social sciences, particularly those that engage with themes of race, gender, and equity.
Impacted Programs
- Department of History at Vanderbilt may face challenges in maintaining a balanced and comprehensive curriculum if federal funding becomes contingent on adherence to specific historical narratives.
- Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions might need to navigate potential restrictions on research topics that are deemed divisive or contrary to the Executive Order’s objectives.
- The Office of Diversity and Inclusion could be impacted by changes in federal support for programs that address racial and cultural diversity, necessitating a reevaluation of funding strategies and program priorities.
- Vanderbilt’s partnerships with cultural institutions and museums may need to be reassessed to ensure alignment with the new federal directives on historical representation.
Financial Impact
- The reallocation of federal funds towards programs that align with the Executive Order’s objectives could impact Vanderbilt’s access to grants for research and educational initiatives that explore diverse historical perspectives.
- Vanderbilt University might experience changes in its funding opportunities, particularly if federal discretionary grants prioritize projects that celebrate American heritage and progress.
- There may be increased opportunities for Vanderbilt to secure funding for research and development in areas that align with the Executive Order’s focus on national pride and historical restoration.
- As federal policies shift towards a more celebratory narrative of American history, there could be a shift in the types of research and educational programs that receive support, potentially affecting the university’s strategic priorities.
Relevance Score: 4 (The order presents a need for potential major changes or transformations of programs.)
Key Actions
- Vanderbilt’s History Department should evaluate the potential impacts of the Executive Order on its curriculum and research initiatives. By aligning certain programs with the federal emphasis on celebrating American heritage, the department can secure funding and support for projects that highlight American achievements and historical narratives.
- The Office of Federal Relations should engage with policymakers to understand the implications of the Executive Order on federal funding for educational and cultural programs. This engagement will help Vanderbilt navigate changes in funding priorities and ensure continued support for its initiatives.
- Vanderbilt’s Cultural Institutions should assess their exhibits and programs to ensure they align with the new federal guidelines. By proactively addressing any potential conflicts, these institutions can avoid funding disruptions and maintain their educational and cultural contributions.
- The Vanderbilt Project on Unity & American Democracy should explore opportunities to contribute to the national conversation on American history and heritage. By hosting forums and discussions, the project can position Vanderbilt as a leader in shaping the narrative around American values and achievements.
Opportunities
- The Executive Order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Educational Programs to develop new courses and research projects that align with the federal focus on American history and heritage. By leveraging this alignment, Vanderbilt can attract federal funding and enhance its reputation as a thought leader in historical education.
- Vanderbilt can capitalize on the emphasis on celebrating American greatness by partnering with national cultural institutions to co-host events and exhibits. These collaborations can enhance Vanderbilt’s visibility and influence in the cultural and educational sectors.
- The focus on restoring federal sites and monuments offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Architecture and Engineering Departments to engage in restoration projects. By contributing expertise to these initiatives, Vanderbilt can strengthen its ties with federal agencies and expand its research and development capabilities.
Relevance Score: 4 (The Executive Order necessitates major process changes for Vanderbilt’s programs due to potential impacts on funding and alignment with federal priorities.)
Timeline for Implementation
- Complete restorations and improvements to Independence Hall by July 4, 2026.
Other directives in the order do not specify deadlines.
Relevance Score: 1
Impacted Government Organizations
- Smithsonian Institution: The Executive Order directs changes in the Smithsonian’s leadership and programming, specifically by tasking the Smithsonian Board of Regents to eliminate what is deemed divisive or anti-American ideology from its museums, education centers, and the National Zoo.
- Office of the Vice President: The Vice President is specifically mandated to work with congressional leaders for appointing new members to the Smithsonian Board of Regents and to ensure the institution aligns with the directive, thereby directly impacting this office.
- Department of the Interior: The Order directs the Secretary of the Interior to restore federal parks, monuments, memorials, and Independence Hall, thus impacting the department and its management of federal heritage sites.
- U.S. Congress: Congress is involved through its appropriations process, being directed to ensure that future funding for the Smithsonian enforces the new cultural requirements and restrictions outlined in the Order.
Relevance Score: 2 (A moderate number of Government Agencies are impacted by the directive.)
Responsible Officials
- Vice President – Tasked with eliminating improper, divisive, or anti-American ideology from the Smithsonian and its associated institutions, and coordinating with congressional leaders to appoint Board of Regents members aligned with these goals.
- Secretary of the Interior – Directed to restore Federal parks, monuments, memorials, and to complete restorations and improvements to Independence Hall by July 4, 2026.
Relevance Score: 5 (Directives impact key Cabinet-level officials with significant national and cultural responsibilities.)