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France 24
France 24
World
FRANCE 24

Smithsonian chief steps down amid Trump pressure over how US history is presented

Lonnie Bunch Smithsonian Donald Trump White House United States Institution John Roberts the National Museum of African American History and Culture The Smithsonian Institution the National Museum of American History
Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution Lonnie Bunch speaks during an event at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, DC.
Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution Lonnie Bunch speaks during an event at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History on February 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. © Anna Moneymaker, Getty Images via AFP

The Smithsonian announced Tuesday that Secretary Lonnie Bunch will leave his post at the end of the year as the institution faces continued scrutiny from the Trump administration over how its museums present US history.

Lonnie Bunch is stepping down from the leadership of the Smithsonian Institution following a tumultuous year in which President Donald Trump tried to remake the portrayal of US history by the Smithsonian museums and other cultural entities.

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