Trump Proposes Smithsonian Budgets Below $1 Billion for 2026-27 as White House Targets DEI
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 9
Trump Proposes Smithsonian Budgets Below $1 Billion for 2026-27 as White House Targets DEI
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 9
Summary
Budgets for fiscal 2026 and 2027 would put Smithsonian federal funding below $1 billion for the first time since 2020, making appropriations a key lever in the administration’s push to reshape the institution.
A 162-page White House review drove the cuts, accusing the Smithsonian of advancing DEI and left-wing agendas and recommending sweeping reforms after months of Trump-directed scrutiny.
More than $1 billion a year in taxpayer support has recently underpinned the Smithsonian’s 21 museums, National Zoo and nearly 157 million objects, with most funding going to operations rather than new exhibits.
A Fox News Digital analysis said Smithsonian budget requests rose from $960 million in fiscal 2019 to a record $1.24 billion in fiscal 2024; the 2026 request included about $524 million for operations and $310 million for museum activity and research.
The funding fight lands amid criticism of exhibit balance and DEI policies, including scrutiny of Secretary Lonnie Bunch III, who said DEI must be central to museums and received more than $4.4 million in pay and benefits from 2020 through 2024.