I teach political science with all its history. I am applying for a PhD in history. Come hell or high water I will teach about our history good and bad.
We can’t stop Trump from doing what he’s gonna do. My suggestion to the Smithsonian is that they save everything that’s removed and/or make copies of the texts that are removed. Store them in a secure place where Trump has absolutely no opportunity to get his grubby hands on them.
They better hurry and hide the stuff, and not in a bathroom somewhere. The thought police might already have cameras installed, watching every move.
Where can we hide the truth, until it is safe to bring it back into the light of day? How is it possible that this is a question of burning urgency, just a few months into the reign of this evil regime?
I graduated from High School in ‘61; and College In ‘65 with a major in US history and a minor in Latin American history. The difference was obvious: high school social studies in the 50s was all about great white men – kings, popes, presidents and generals. No people of color, and certainly no women. Trump, who is about my age, and Pete Hegseth never got beyond that 50’s social studies perspective. Unfortunately.
Thank you guys for calling this monster’s “admin” REGIME! That is exactly what it is! The Smithsonian, once this regime is driven out, will have to erect another building just to cover every egregious act that Trump and team have committed.
At this point, we have to hope that Lonnie Bunch, Smithsonian's chief, doesn't resign--that he stays and fights. That includes standing up to Trump because he doesn't have direct authority.
Steve, Trump will attempt to change history just like Hitler did. History is never erased, you know that as one of our great historians. Of course people should know what he is trying to do.
The magnitude of harm in rewriting history cannot be overstated. We really need to establish some hierarchy for how we direct criticism at this regime. There has been more ink spilled over Jeffrey Epstein than any other travesty. Out of proportion, and in any case it is subsumed within the much larger project of revisionism. Thanks Steven, for putting this at the center today.
We need to remind ourselves sometimes of HOW WE came here—uninvited and what should be called in today’s terms as “illegal.” We came. We slaughtered. We took. We pillaged. We called it ours. And NO, we didn’t speak the native language, and still don’t. And the REAL Americans, if that’s even the proper label, we treat like shit. Such disgraceful and unforgivable “American” history, at it’s finest. And THAT is how it should remain.
The historian Julian Zelizer offered a sobering assessment of this in a recent Substack column. (https://open.substack.com/pub/julianzelizer/p/the-alternative-facts-presidency?r=e05gu&utm_medium=ios). Zelizer states that “the defense of “alternative facts” has turned into a defining element of President Trump’s second term. This time around, the war is not just about words but about institutions — and for this reason, the dangers are much greater. Since January 2025, the president has engaged in a systematic campaign to weaken and dismantle institutions that produce knowledge that conflicts with his political and personal self-interest.” Whether this assault is prompted by resentment, ignorance and bigotry, vanity or megalomania, the effect is the same. By destroying institutions of knowledge, the ability of the people to understand and oversee those who have been entrusted with power is obliterated.
I teach political science with all its history. I am applying for a PhD in history. Come hell or high water I will teach about our history good and bad.
That's the spirit.
We can’t stop Trump from doing what he’s gonna do. My suggestion to the Smithsonian is that they save everything that’s removed and/or make copies of the texts that are removed. Store them in a secure place where Trump has absolutely no opportunity to get his grubby hands on them.
Then, on January 21, 2029, put them back up.
Right!
They better hurry and hide the stuff, and not in a bathroom somewhere. The thought police might already have cameras installed, watching every move.
Where can we hide the truth, until it is safe to bring it back into the light of day? How is it possible that this is a question of burning urgency, just a few months into the reign of this evil regime?
I graduated from High School in ‘61; and College In ‘65 with a major in US history and a minor in Latin American history. The difference was obvious: high school social studies in the 50s was all about great white men – kings, popes, presidents and generals. No people of color, and certainly no women. Trump, who is about my age, and Pete Hegseth never got beyond that 50’s social studies perspective. Unfortunately.
Thank you guys for calling this monster’s “admin” REGIME! That is exactly what it is! The Smithsonian, once this regime is driven out, will have to erect another building just to cover every egregious act that Trump and team have committed.
Now there is a project to look forward to-- a proper agenda for Trump's 'presidential' library.
History should be taught warts and all.
Yes! What can we do about it?
At this point, we have to hope that Lonnie Bunch, Smithsonian's chief, doesn't resign--that he stays and fights. That includes standing up to Trump because he doesn't have direct authority.
And lining up lawyers to defend him and the Smithsonian.
We will have a lot of work to do once trump is gone
True.
He knows how badly he will look if the historical truth were told ... he's determined to not have that happen if he has to blow the Smithsonian up
Remaking history in the image of Trump. Yeah, that speaks truth. 🙄😡
It is also about fanning the grievances of his MAGA supporters--the ones he is attempting to divert from the Epstein files.
Steve, Trump will attempt to change history just like Hitler did. History is never erased, you know that as one of our great historians. Of course people should know what he is trying to do.
Another great and important broadcast. Thank you both. I really hope Lonnie Bunch and Congress stands up to the regime.
Thank you, Helen.
The magnitude of harm in rewriting history cannot be overstated. We really need to establish some hierarchy for how we direct criticism at this regime. There has been more ink spilled over Jeffrey Epstein than any other travesty. Out of proportion, and in any case it is subsumed within the much larger project of revisionism. Thanks Steven, for putting this at the center today.
Thank you, Jill.
We need to remind ourselves sometimes of HOW WE came here—uninvited and what should be called in today’s terms as “illegal.” We came. We slaughtered. We took. We pillaged. We called it ours. And NO, we didn’t speak the native language, and still don’t. And the REAL Americans, if that’s even the proper label, we treat like shit. Such disgraceful and unforgivable “American” history, at it’s finest. And THAT is how it should remain.
The historian Julian Zelizer offered a sobering assessment of this in a recent Substack column. (https://open.substack.com/pub/julianzelizer/p/the-alternative-facts-presidency?r=e05gu&utm_medium=ios). Zelizer states that “the defense of “alternative facts” has turned into a defining element of President Trump’s second term. This time around, the war is not just about words but about institutions — and for this reason, the dangers are much greater. Since January 2025, the president has engaged in a systematic campaign to weaken and dismantle institutions that produce knowledge that conflicts with his political and personal self-interest.” Whether this assault is prompted by resentment, ignorance and bigotry, vanity or megalomania, the effect is the same. By destroying institutions of knowledge, the ability of the people to understand and oversee those who have been entrusted with power is obliterated.
What is he not going to ruin? Try to think of something. I can’t.