Related video: Trump ORDERS Review of Smithsonian Museums to End ‘WOKE’ Messaging | SUNRISE
A majority of Americans say the federal government should not control the content of exhibits in museums that get taxpayer funding, according to a survey published Tuesday.
The latest the Economist/YouGov poll found only 18 percent of respondents saying the government should control the content of exhibits in federally funded museums, compared to 60 percent who disagreed. Another 22 percent were unsure.
The large majority of Democrats in the survey, 82 percent, were against the government’s control of such content. GOP voters were more evenly split, with 38 percent saying they oppose the government’s control of museum exhibits and approximately 31 percent unsure.
The survey found that people who visit museums “very or somewhat often” were far more likely, at 70 percent, than those who never visit them, at 49 percent, to argue the government should not control the content of exhibits.
The results come as President Trump ramps up his efforts to control the way Smithsonian Institution museums and national parks tell America’s story.
“The Museums throughout Washington, but all over the Country are, essentially, the last remaining segment of ‘WOKE,’” Trump posted on Truth Social last week.
“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,” he added.
The large majority in the Economist/YouGov poll, 84 percent, said it is very important for cultural museums and history to accurately represent American history. Additionally, the majority of respondents said this pertains to: highlighting historical struggles and injustices, at 61 percent; highlighting American achievements, at 61 percent; and addressing topics such as racism, slavery and inequality, at 60 percent.
About 46 percent said it is very important for the museums that get government funding to highlight a positive vision for America’s future.
Democrats were twice as likely as GOP voters, 85 percent to 40 percent, to highlight the importance of museums addressing topics such as inequality, slavery and racism, along with highlighting historical injustices and struggles, 84 percent to 42 percent.
Republicans were more likely than Democrats, 57 percent to 37 percent, to say it is very important for museums to emphasize a positive vision for America’s future and to emphasize American achievements, 67 percent to 55 percent, the survey found.
The poll was conducted Aug. 22-25 among 1,523 U.S. adults. Its margin of error was around 3.5 percentage points.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Comments