Actual Historian Shames Smithsonian for Revisionist History Displays: 'They're Activists'

Back in July, RedState brought you the story of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History (NMAH). Instead of being a place where all Americans can go to learn the story of our nation — the good, the bad, and the ugly — it has become nothing more than yet another institution of indoctrination and activism. But what happens when someone who is a true student of American history pays a visit to the museum?

New @WhiteHouse report documents how the Smithsonian Museum of American History reshaped its exhibits to make illegal alien activism a central narrative, while the rights, wages, safety, and cohesion of American citizens were consistently sidelined. https://t.co/oCpx2CLq8H
— NumbersUSA (@NumbersUSA) August 3, 2026

Historian and museum professional Dr. Jody Edward Ginn recently visited the NMAH for the first time in over a decade. His reaction seemed to say it all: "It's a completely different place than when I was there in 2012." Ginn went on to be even more blunt in his assessment of the current state of the museum during an interview with Fox News Digital, saying:

"Its mission is clearly exactly what they changed it to be. It is a museum for activism. They use history, but that's kind of the problem. You know, scholars of history, and I don't consider these folks scholars anymore. They're activists."

Ginn explained that, after reading the Trump administration's Domestic Policy Council report that alleges that the Smithsonian and the NMAH failed to present American history "in a way that is inspiring, unifying, and worthy of our great republic," he had to see it for himself and traveled all the way from Texas. Ginn's first impression upon walking into the museum was this:

"From the moment I walked in, it's a very different experience. Now, I wasn't totally shocked by this because I've been watching this evolution in my field for over a decade."

Ginn said that the further he got into the exhibits, it became obvious that the intent was to "specifically direct" museumgoers "to action," rather than give information and let people "make their own decisions." He also stated:

"It became this goal, their own stated goal, to turn museums from institutions of education, of public education, into institutions to encourage activism, which could also be said to indoctrinate."

The Smithsonian has forgotten its mission to celebrate and tell the story of our great nation through art, objects, artifacts, and interpretation. Instead, it has turned its back on America to become a temple of hatred, disdain, and lies. https://t.co/bzFoD76TLp
— Heavy Rain (@eepauley) August 4, 2026

Ginn referenced a graphic, sexually explicit display, saying, "These are geared towards all ages. Why would you do that? All of that's out of sync with what museums were just a few years ago." He also mentioned a guide for museum professionals from 2017 called the "MASS Action Toolkit."

What does "MASS" stand for? "Museum as Site for Social Action." It references the 2014 Ferguson, Missouri, police shooting and Black Lives Matter protests, and describes objectivity as a characteristic of "white supremacy culture." Not surprisingly, Ginn stated this was all part of the slide into activism. Ginn added that he found "factually incorrect information" in several displays, and that "The biggest problem is in what they leave out."

ALSO READ: Smithsonian's Gag-Inducing Display for Tony Fauci Glorifies His Most Humiliating Day Ever

Anthea Hartig has been the museum's director since 2019 and has stated that she views history as a "prime tool for social justice" and that her role, in part, is to connect "research and scholarship to activism and advocacy." She recently appeared during a House hearing regarding the overt left-wing activism of many of the museum's exhibits.

Watch:

I asked the Director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History why her organization promoted a "MASS Action Toolkit" that claimed "objectivity" is an aspect of "white supremacy culture." pic.twitter.com/XXKZED5ivy
— Brandon Gill (@realBrandonGill) July 21, 2026

Dr. Ginn does not hold out much hope for change at the NMAH. The solution, he says, is that:

"You're going to have to put in new people who are committed to scholarly standards and non-politicized educational programming. These people have bought into it, hook, line and sinker."

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