The Smithsonian’s Strength: Why Americans Trust Their Institutions

The White House’s attacks on the Smithsonian Institution have been met with a peculiar silence from the American public. Despite President Trump’s claims that the museum complex is spreading “divisive narratives” and failing to adequately celebrate American history, most Americans seem to be shrugging off these accusations. Recent surveys suggest that the majority of Americans trust institutions like museums, newspapers, and public schools – even as confidence in other institutions has plummeted.

One reason for this loyalty lies in the fundamental nature of museums themselves. Unlike universities or media outlets, which often require a leap of faith from their audience, museums offer a unique brand of credibility: they deal in physical objects that speak to us directly. As Susie Wilkening, research director at the American Alliance of Museums, notes, “It’s you directly with that artwork or you directly with that specimen… That object feels like it’s speaking directly to you as a trustworthy thing from the past.” This hands-on approach lends an air of authenticity to the museum experience – and it seems to be paying off.

Data from Gallup and YouGov confirm that Americans are remarkably trusting of museums. In fact, they trust them more than almost any other institution. When asked about the president’s influence over exhibits and programming at federally funded museums, 57% of Americans said he should have “none” or “not much.” This is a stark contrast to his own base, where only 17% agree.

The Smithsonian’s history has contributed to its trustworthiness. Unlike institutions that often find themselves at the forefront of cultural and intellectual debates, museums traditionally are places of quiet reverence – and respect for historical fact. The National Portrait Gallery and the National Museum of American History, for example, have built their reputations on a bedrock of accuracy.

The White House’s attacks on the Smithsonian represent an attempt to delegitimize an entire institution – and with it, the trust that Americans have placed in museums as keepers of public memory. The ordered signs outside the National Museum of American History serve as a reminder of this effort: they direct visitors away from the museum’s own exhibits towards alternative sources of information.

In essence, what we’re witnessing is an attempt to supplant one form of authority with another – one that is more malleable and pliable. The White House wants Americans to look elsewhere for their history – to trust its preferred narratives and interpretations over those provided by the Smithsonian. But this approach misunderstands the fundamental nature of museums.

Museums are not places of ideology or activism; they’re places of observation, exploration, and contemplation. They’re meant to spark questions – not provide answers. And in an age where observable reality is increasingly being called into question, museums offer a rare refuge for those seeking stability and trustworthiness.

The coming weeks and months will be crucial in determining the outcome of this battle between the White House and the Smithsonian. Will Americans continue to stand by their institutions – or will they succumb to the pressure of cultural wars and partisan rhetoric? One thing is certain: as long as museums remain places where history is told with integrity and respect, they’ll continue to be a source of strength in an America increasingly divided by doubt and distrust.

As long as museums maintain their commitment to accuracy and objectivity, they will remain a bulwark against the chaos that threatens to engulf us all. It’s essential that we protect this trust – for the sake of our collective memory and our shared understanding of ourselves.