WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump’s statement on social media on Monday sparked a torrent of criticism for supposedly condoning slavery. The 79-year-old president wrote about the Smithsonian Institutions in a post, saying that their museums and others around the country represent “the last remaining segment of ‘WOKE.'”
Trump’s statement on his Truth Social platform especially called out the institutions for focusing on a sad time in American history. He stated, “The Smithsonian is OUT OF CONTROL, where everything talked about is how bad our Country is, how bad Slavery was, and how unsuccessful the downtrodden have been — Nothing about Success, nothing about Brightness, nothing about the Future.”
People on social media quickly reacted negatively to the post, with many seeing the statements as a blatant support of slavery, which the 13th Amendment made illegal in the United States on December 18, 1865. People who didn’t like Trump said he was trying to “whitewash” American history and make it seem like enslaved people didn’t suffer.
Quick Condemnation from People on Social Media
Many well-known people and people on social media quickly criticized what the president said. Harry Sisson, a well-known political journalist, said, “Trump is mad that the Smithsonian Museum talks about how bad slavery was, which is an important part of American history.” Now he’s sending his lawyers after the museum. Dictators have done this throughout history. “Wake up, America.”
The account Republicans Against Trump said, “Trump says the Smithsonian is ‘out of control’ for talking about ‘how bad slavery was.'” Crazy.”
Brian Tyler Cohen, a well-known YouTuber, also said, “Trump is mad that the Smithsonian is talking about ‘how bad slavery was.'” That’s where we are.
Joe Walsh, a former Republican congressman, was more cynical when he wrote, “Trump: The Smithsonian only talks about how bad slavery was.” So now he wants to have them talk about how “good” slavery was?
The outcry shows how deeply divided the U.S. is politically and culturally about how to deal with its past, especially when it comes to slavery. Trump’s fans might perceive the comments as a response to what they call “woke” ideology and a focus on national pride. His critics, on the other hand, see them as an attempt to dismiss or even justify a harsh historical truth.