Smithsonian Leader Responds to Trump with Defiant Speech

<figure><img alt="President Donald Trump greets Chinese President Xi Jinping upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on September 23, 2026. Xi is visiting the United States from September 23 to 25." src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/642446KC6JFRVBMOWJ5MYRVMCA.jpg?auth=5d8addb99bb269c03c6992b0b8f58428adca505c01f35ab203af2945d74f9f09&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1860&amp;height=1046" /><figcaption>BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP via Getty Images</figcaption></figure><p>Lonnie Bunch, the outgoing leader of the Smithsonian Institution, received a standing ovation after delivering a speech in response to President Donald Trump’s criticisms. Bunch expressed his love for the United States and the Smithsonian, countering Trump’s claims that the institution does not reflect American values, as reported by The Guardian.</p><p>“The notion that somehow this museum or any part of the Smithsonian is done by people who don’t love America, don’t care about America, is unbelievably wrong,” Bunch stated.</p><img alt="Lonnie Bunch defied the president in a speech celebrating the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture’s 10th Anniversary. / Shannon Finney / Getty Images" height="3022" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/CRO4QGRXTZBONEN7DIMT44SYPU.jpg?auth=aeeccab0a85cfa54ceaa4fb79c75cb5f3cfab7c04514439c240b22b130a82d82&amp;smart=true&amp;width=3778&amp;height=3022" width="3778" /><p>Bunch, who founded the African American History Museum and became the Smithsonian’s first Black leader in 2019, is set to step down at the end of the year. He made his remarks during a gala celebrating the 10th anniversary of the African American History Museum.</p><p>Trump has criticized the Smithsonian on multiple occasions, stating on Truth Social that it is “OUT OF CONTROL,” claiming the institution focuses excessively on negative aspects of American history, including slavery.</p><p>This summer, the White House released a 162-page report titled “Saving America’s Story,” which accused the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History of being influenced by a “radical activist cohort” aiming to reshape the American narrative.</p><p>In response to the report, Bunch addressed staff in an internal email, asserting that the Smithsonian's work is based on scholarship, accuracy, and a commitment to presenting a comprehensive view of American history.</p><p>During his recent speech, Bunch affirmed the museum's role as a “beacon of possibility” and a “place of resistance.” He stated, “What I’m proudest of is that, though there’ll be pushes and attempts to try to do things, this museum will stand as long as there’s an America.”</p><p><a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/smithsonian-leader-lonnie-bunch-hits-back-against-trump/">Read more at The Daily Beast.</a></p>