The New History Wars
A bookish form of protest is opposing Trump’s changes.
TL;DR
- Augmented reality tours offer historical overlays of Washington D.C. landmarks, showcasing features altered or removed during Trump's renovations.
- President Trump has issued executive orders aimed at influencing how national museums present American history, accusing institutions like the Smithsonian of 'ideological capture'.
- Groups like Citizen Historians for the Smithsonian are organizing to provide counter-interpretations to official signage and exhibits.
- Guerrilla art installations and augmented reality exhibits are being used as forms of protest and to highlight underrepresented historical figures and narratives.
- The conflict centers on whether American history should be presented as a simple narrative of grandeur or as a compendium of diverse stories.