Fact check: Have other presidents attempted to influence the Smithsonian's collection in the past?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, none of the sources contain evidence of other presidents attempting to influence the Smithsonian's collection in the past. All nine sources analyzed focus exclusively on President Trump's current efforts to review and alter the Smithsonian's programming and exhibitions ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]}.

The sources consistently document Trump's unprecedented interference with the Smithsonian, including his criticism that the museums focus too much on "how bad slavery was" and his administration's call for a "comprehensive review" of eight Smithsonian museums ^{[1] [2] [3]}. The Trump administration has issued executive orders to overhaul the institution's collection and has escalated attacks against the museums for including negative aspects of American history ^[6].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The analyses reveal several important contextual elements missing from the original question:

• Historical precedent appears absent: One source notes that the Smithsonian has found itself "embroiled in an ongoing 'culture war' since Trump took office," which may imply that previous administrations did not attempt to exert similar influence ^[5].
• Broader pattern of censorship: The American Alliance of Museums describes "growing threats of censorship against US museums," suggesting this issue extends beyond just the Smithsonian and may represent a broader cultural phenomenon ^[7].
• Institutional independence concerns: Some commentators argue that "the government has no business interfering with museum processes and decisions," implying that such interference may be unprecedented in scope ^[3].
• Potential chilling effect: Museum professionals warn that Trump's interference could have a "chilling effect across the entire museum sector," indicating the broader implications of presidential influence on cultural institutions ^[4].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself does not contain misinformation, as it is posed as an inquiry rather than making claims. However, the question's framing may inadvertently suggest that presidential interference with the Smithsonian is a common or recurring practice, when the available evidence indicates the opposite.

The analyses consistently suggest that Trump's efforts represent an unusual or unprecedented level of presidential interference with the Smithsonian's operations. The characterization of this as part of an ongoing "culture war" that began when Trump took office ^[5] and the description of "growing threats of censorship" ^[7] indicate that such direct presidential influence over museum collections and exhibitions may be a relatively new phenomenon in American politics.