The art Trump wants BANNED as creators deny their work is political
Share this @internewscast.com

President Donald Trump has launched a new offensive in the ongoing culture wars, this time targeting the Smithsonian Institution, which is renowned as the country’s leading museum and research center. He is pressing for the removal of what he considers ‘woke’ art from its exhibitions.

In an intense social media outburst earlier this month, Trump criticized museums for fixating on ‘how bad slavery was’ and instructed his legal team to ‘review the museums’ to pinpoint exhibits perceived as anti-American by the White House.

Subsequently, his administration published an extensive list of artworks, installations, and exhibits it labeled as unpatriotic. Many of these focus on topics such as racism, LGBTQ rights, immigrant rights, and the work of Dr. Anthony Fauci on COVID-19, whom Trump has frequently criticized.

This initiative is similar to Trump’s previous actions against colleges and universities, where he threatened to withdraw funding unless they restricted antisemitism and diversity initiatives.

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, the White House asserts its desire to clear cultural institutions of ‘anti-American ideology’ in favor of promoting more affirmative content.

Critics accuse the president of trying to rewrite history and muzzle artists. 

The Smithsonian, which includes a vast network of 21 museums and galleries primarily in Washington, DC, as well as the National Zoo, has thus far refrained from offering any comment on the situation.

Though it receives much of its budget from Congress, the institution prides itself on being independent in curating exhibitions.

The Smithsonian runs 21 beloved museums, galleries and a zoo, many of them along the National Mall in Washington, DC

The Smithsonian runs 21 beloved museums, galleries and a zoo, many of them along the National Mall in Washington, DC

Donald Trump says the Smithsonian is 'out of control' and tells a negative story about America

Donald Trump says the Smithsonian is ‘out of control’ and tells a negative story about America

Civil rights campaigners are sounding the alarm. Black Lives Matter accused Trump of trying to lock the country in a ‘fairytale’ America, one stripped of slavery, racism and social struggle.

Others compared his moves to authoritarian regimes that sought to control culture and memory.

Now, the Daily Mail has taken a look at the works singled out by Trump’s administration and the words of the creatives behind them. Vote in our poll at the bottom to let us know your thoughts. 

Refugees Crossing the Border Wall into South Texas, by Rigoberto Gonzalez

Rigoberto Gonzalez's titled study on border hopping immigrants was singled out by the White House in a list of artworks and exhibitions it found objectionable

Rigoberto Gonzalez’s titled study on border hopping immigrants was singled out by the White House in a list of artworks and exhibitions it found objectionable

One of the pieces that riled the White House most is Rigoberto Gonzalez’s painting at the National Portrait Gallery showing a Mexican family climbing a ladder over the US border wall.

The administration blasted the work as ‘commemorating the act of illegally crossing’ into the United States.

But Gonzalez, who was born in Mexico and is now a US citizen, insists his art reflects reality, not propaganda.

Artist Rigoberto Gonzalez (pictured) says he's glad that he got the attention of the Trump administration

Artist Rigoberto Gonzalez (pictured) says he’s glad that he got the attention of the Trump administration 

‘My work is political, and that painting in particular was questioning the anti-immigrant sentiment of the time,’ he told NPR. 

‘So I’m glad that it got a response from a presidency that is very clearly going anti-immigration.’

Gonzalez even drew parallels with the Nazi regime’s attempts to control culture.

He said he is not deterred, and plans to paint about immigration roundups in coming art pieces.

The anti-racism scholarship of Ibram X Kendi

Author and scholar Ibram X Kendi (pictured) says white Americans have to 'unlearn' their racial bias

Author and scholar Ibram X Kendi (pictured) says white Americans have to ‘unlearn’ their racial bias

Kendi's landmark book How to Be an Anti-Racist urges people to confront racism in daily life

Kendi’s landmark book How to Be an Anti-Racist urges people to confront racism in daily life

The White House list also targeted intellectual work, notably that of historian and best-selling author Ibram X Kendi.

Kendi’s writing has featured in the National Museum of African American History and Culture, where an exhibit examined ‘assumptions of whiteness and white culture’.

His landmark book How to Be an Anti-Racist urges people to confront racism in daily life, to ‘unlearn’ racial bias and to promote equality.

Most notoriously, it suggested the only remedy for anti-black discrimination is anti-white discrimination.  

The Trump administration dismissed him as a ‘hardcore woke activist’.

Kendi said he was not surprised.

‘Those of us who study racism, who engage in rigorous research to try to explain what racism is, have been typically described as activists, as opposed to what we are: scholars and intellectuals using research and analysis to try to present the truth,’ he said.

‘It’s a way to discredit me and distract from my scholarship, to turn me into some boogeyman. And frankly, I can see this White House not wanting their supporters to take my work seriously – because if they did, they might not take the White House seriously either.’

Trans Forming Liberty, by Amy Sherald

Amy Sherald's statuesque trans subject (pictured) never made it to the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, but did appear at the Whitney Museum of American Art

Amy Sherald’s statuesque trans subject (pictured) never made it to the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, but did appear at the Whitney Museum of American Art

Amy Sherald, celebrated for her portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama, also found her work caught in Trump’s crosshairs.

Her painting Trans Forming Liberty shows a black transgender woman in a flowing blue gown with pink hair, holding a torch – a bold reimagining of the Statue of Liberty.

The White House sneered that the artwork amounted to ‘a transgender Statue of Liberty.’

Sherald had already canceled her show at the National Portrait Gallery because she feared backlash from Trump officials.

Amy Sherald (left) is best known for her portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama (right), which was unveiled in 2018

Amy Sherald (left) is best known for her portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama (right), which was unveiled in 2018

‘We’re talking about erasure every day,’ she said.

‘And so now I feel like every portrait that I make is a counterterrorist attack… to counter some kind of attack on American history and on black American history and on black Americans.’

Hugo Crosthwaite’s animated series on Dr Anthony Fauci

Hugo Crosthwaite's animated series on Dr Anthony Fauci (pictured) was never going to win over all viewers

Hugo Crosthwaite’s animated series on Dr Anthony Fauci (pictured) was never going to win over all viewers

Anthony Fauci (left) and Hugo Crosthwaite (right) attend a gala portraiture in Washington, DC, in 2022

Anthony Fauci (left) and Hugo Crosthwaite (right) attend a gala portraiture in Washington, DC, in 2022 

San Diego-based artist Hugo Crosthwaite also landed on the administration’s blacklist.

His series of 19 drawings traced the long career of former National Institutes of Health Director Dr Fauci, from his early work on HIV/AIDS to his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The series was commissioned in 2022 by the National Portrait Gallery.

For conservatives, Fauci became a symbol of lockdowns and vaccine mandates.

The artist brushed off the criticism.

‘It seems like they just came up with the idea, “Oh, this is about Fauci. So then we hate it now,”‘ he said. ‘And they probably haven’t even seen it.’

Far from being intimidated, Crosthwaite said he was ‘honored’ to make the administration’s so-called wall of shame.

‘They’re trying to censor artwork. But I always feel it backfires – it usually draws more attention to it, which I think is wonderful.’

Visitors tour the 'America's Presidents' exhibition in Washington, DC

Visitors tour the ‘America’s Presidents’ exhibition in Washington, DC 

The Smithsonian is on safer ground when it displays images of former President George Washington

The Smithsonian is on safer ground when it displays images of former President George Washington

The controversy has sparked a furious debate about what role museums should play in a country grappling with its past.

Trump and his allies argue that taxpayer-funded institutions should not ‘indoctrinate’ the public with work that highlights racism or sexual identity. They want patriotic displays to dominate the 250th anniversary celebrations in 2026.

‘The Smithsonian is OUT OF CONTROL,’ Trump wrote in his infamous post.

‘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.’

But artists, curators and academics warn that stripping out uncomfortable truths risks whitewashing history.

For now, the Smithsonian has remained silent, declining to confirm whether any works will be removed.

Whether the Smithsonian bends to pressure or holds firm could define how America tells its story to the world on its 250th birthday – and how much room is left for voices that challenge the centers of power.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Kim Kardashian Stuns in Bold Latex Gown That Defies Gravity: A Showstopper Moment You Can’t Miss!

Kim Kardashian came close to a wardrobe malfunction in her daringly low-cut…

Inside Brian Cashman’s Bold Decision: A Game-Changing Shift in Yankees’ Coaching Staff

On Thursday, Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman confirmed the Yankees’ coaching staff…

Trump Makes Key Decision on Venezuelan Boat Survivors’ Future

Donald Trump has made a decision regarding two individuals labeled as ‘terrorists’…

Unveiling New Leads: NYPD Investigates Potential Victims of 1990s Queens Serial Rapist

A man suspected of being a serial rapist, who instilled fear across…

Overcoming Age Bias: A 58-Year-Old’s Journey to Finding New Employment Opportunities After Job Loss

Dear Vanessa, I’ve recently been laid off at 58 after dedicating over…

From Royalty to Reality: Sarah’s Journey Beyond the Palace

The York title, perhaps Queen Elizabeth II’s most noteworthy gift to Prince…

Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson Face Major Setback as UNC Struggles Deepen

Jordon Hudson observed from the sidelines as Bill Belichick’s University of North…

Arizona Executes Inmate for Heinous Family Murder Plot: A Landmark Case in State’s Legal History

In Arizona, a 55-year-old man was executed for the murder of a…

Democratic Politician Issues Apology After Controversial Sexual Assault Comments Resurface: A Closer Look

A Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Maine has issued a…

Fox News Host Jesse Watters Faces Backlash After Controversial Dating Confession Sparks Outrage

Jesse Watters, a host on Fox News, is facing criticism after an…

Discover the Luxe Paradise: Unveiling America’s Priciest Zip Code on a Florida Island

Florida has claimed the title of the most expensive zip code in…

Bill Maher Criticizes College Protesters for Lack of Response to Hamas Violence

Bill Maher has voiced strong criticism against college students across the United…