Trump Administration Proposes Budget Cuts for Smithsonian Amid Ideological Review

The Trump administration has proposed a budget request for the Smithsonian Institution that is lower than previous years, marking the first time since fiscal year 2020 that the annual request has fallen below $1 billion. This proposal comes as part of a broader initiative to eliminate what the administration describes as 'woke' ideology from federally funded museums and programs. An analysis indicated that the Smithsonian's funding requests had increased during the Biden administration, reaching a record $1.24 billion for fiscal year 2024. The administration's review of the Smithsonian has included examining exhibits, educational programming, and leadership statements, culminating in a 162-page report recommending significant reforms. The Smithsonian, which manages 21 museums and the National Zoo, receives over $1 billion annually in federal funding, supplemented by private donations.