The Smithsonian Institution has faced increased scrutiny over its use of more than $1 billion annually from taxpayer funding. Critics have raised concerns about its leadership and exhibits focusing on DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) priorities and its portrayal of American history.
As the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, the Smithsonian oversees 21 museums, the National Zoo, and nearly 157 million objects and specimens. Recent proposals under President Donald Trump aimed to reshape this taxpayer-supported institution by reducing its federal funding.
A White House report from July 2026 accused the Smithsonian of promoting DEI and a left-wing agenda. For instance, an exhibit titled America 250 displayed significantly more items focusing on liberal figures and causes compared to conservative ones. This led to criticism for presenting an imbalanced account of American history.
“DEI must be at the center,” stated Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III, sparking further examination of his influence and the institution’s policies.
Under scrutiny, Bunch received over $4.4 million in salary and benefits from 2020 through 2024. The Trump administration has been active in overseeing the Smithsonian’s leadership and seeking records as part of a comprehensive review that recommended reforms.
Amid these efforts, Trump’s administration targeted reductions in Smithsonian’s funding following the review, which resulted in a 162-page report. The institution also receives funds through private donations, grants, and other sources, yet depends heavily on taxpayer money.
Within the broader debate, there’s an ongoing focus on how the Smithsonian presents American history and the financial support it receives. Fox News Digital revealed that the institution’s budget inquiries have increased during the Biden administration, moving from $960 million in fiscal 2019 to a record $1.24 billion in fiscal 2024.
Despite seeking over $1 billion in fiscal year 2025, Trump’s proposals have hovered below that mark for 2026 and 2027, the first time since fiscal year 2020. The Smithsonian’s budget primarily covers operational expenses rather than new exhibits. Of the $960 million requested, approximately $524 million supports daily operations, including staffing, security, and facilities.
An additional $310 million is allocated for museum activities and research, while the remainder goes towards building improvements and oversight. Notably, funding isn’t uniform across all museums. For 2026, the National Museum of Natural History leads funding requests at $51 million, followed by the National Museum of the American Indian at nearly $35 million. The National Zoo and the Museum of American History have funding requests of about $34 million and $27 million, respectively.
The ongoing debate centers on the Smithsonian’s role in shaping narratives of American history and determining the appropriateness of taxpayer funding for these narratives.
Fox News Digital sought comments from the Smithsonian Institution, but a response was not immediately available.