U.S. President Donald Trump attends a press conference following his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, in Anchorage, Alaska, U.S., August 15, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

President Donald Trump is being criticized for complaining that the Smithsonian is discussing "how bad slavery was."

In a Truth Social post Tuesday, Trump said, "The Museums throughout Washington, but all over the Country are, essentially, the last remaining segment of 'WOKE.' The Smithsonian is OUT OF CONTROL, where everything discussed is how horrible our Country is, how bad Slavery was, and how unaccomplished the downtrodden have been — Nothing about Success, nothing about Brightness, nothing about the Future."

He continued: "We are not going to allow this to happen, and I have instructed my attorneys to go through the Museums, and start the exact same process that has been done with Colleges and Universities where tremendous progress has been made. This Country cannot be WOKE, because WOKE IS BROKE. We have the 'HOTTEST' Country in the World, and we want people to talk about it, including in our Museums."

Critics strongly reacted to Trump's statement and questioned if he was justifying slavery.

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Former GOP Congressman Joe Walsh wrote on the social platform X: "Trump: All the Smithsonian does is 'discuss how bad slavery was.' So now he wants to force them to discuss how 'good' slavery was?"

Democratic influencer Harry Sisson wrote: "Trump is angry that the Smithsonian Museum talks about how bad slavery was, which is a crucial part of American history. He’s now sending his attorneys after the museum. This is what dictators have done throughout history. Wake up, America."

Journalist Jon Ralston said: "Yes, as so many FOXy folks are saying, it is Gavin Newsom's X posts that are bonkers, childish and dishonest. Unbefitting of a governor. Slavery, it turns out, was not so bad."

Political analyst Keith Olbermann said: "Breaking: Trump thinks we've done enoigh [sic] remembering about how bad slavery was If you've doubted his racism and inhumanity — you can stop doubting now."

Activist Melanie D'Arrigo wrote: "It’s not surprising that Trump thinks there was an upside to slavery considering his supporters still wave the flag of the people who went to war against the United States to protect it."

The account "Republicans against Trump" wrote: "Trump says the Smithsonian is 'out of control' for discussing 'how bad slavery was.' Insane."