Smithsonian's "The Electric Benjamin Franklin" Exhibit and White House Critique
The Smithsonian Institution has become the latest battleground in the Trump administration's culture war, following the release of a scathing White House report on the institution's "The Electric Benjamin Franklin" exhibit.
The Exhibit and its Controversy
The exhibit, which closed in 2025, showcased Benjamin Franklin's contributions to electrical science while acknowledging that he had owned slaves.
- The exhibit highlighted Franklin's experiments involving possibly painful shocks, featuring enslaved people in his household as subjects.
- It also mentioned Franklin's role in the Louisiana Purchase and his role as a Founding Father.
White House Report Critiques Smithsonian
The Smithsonian's "The Electric Benjamin Franklin" exhibit has been criticized in a 162-page report released by the White House.
- The report accuses the museum of falling victim to an "ideological capture," which "moved the Museum's mission away from straightforward historical education and scholarship toward an extreme political activism that seeks to 'transport our country'
- The White House report claims that the museum's exhibit has been influenced by "political correctness" and "left-wing agendas."
Smithsonian's Response
The Smithsonian Institution has responded to the White House report, asserting that it is dedicated to providing an accurate portrayal of history.
- A Smithsonian spokesperson stated that the museum aims to engage visitors with thought-provoking exhibits that explore complex historical issues.
- The spokesperson emphasized that the museum remains committed to upholding historical accuracy and scholarship.
President Trump's View on the Exhibit
President Trump's administration has taken a strong stance on the exhibit, criticizing the portrayal of historical figures.
- In a statement, the President's administration called the exhibit "politically biased" and "out of touch with the American people."
- The statement claimed that the exhibit distorts history and undermines the values of the American people.
<small>Source: Ars Technica — read the original story there.</small>
