As Donald Trump nears the end of the first year of his second term, his administration is engaged in a project that extends far beyond the traditional reshaping of the federal bureaucracy. According to a new report by The Wall Street Journal, the President is leveraging his office to fundamentally redefine American culture, targeting institutions ranging from the Smithsonian museums to professional sports leagues.
The President has frequently argued that “wokeness” has distorted American life, a sentiment that serves as the bedrock for his current cultural offensive. This campaign is being waged on multiple fronts, including the digital landscape, sporting arenas, and the halls of national history, as the country approaches its 250th birthday.
Courting Gen Z Through Conservative Influencers
A primary theater for this cultural shift is the online space occupied by younger voters. At events like Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest, conservative influencers are attempting to align the President’s agenda with the aspirations of Gen Z.
“Young men know in their bones that they want to get married, start families, own property, have a life and seize the American dream. What young men and women want is an American future for Americans.”
— Benny Johnson, conservative content creator
However, The Wall Street Journal report highlights a disconnect between this online strategy and electoral reality. Despite the President’s attempts to reach younger demographics through memes and viral videos—a strategy critics argue is “coarsening our political conversation”—polling indicates significant resistance among young voters.
60%+
Voters under 30 who disapprove of Trump’s job performance
UFC Alliance and White House Fight Night
The administration has found warmer reception in the world of combat sports. The President has maintained a close alliance with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, a relationship that is set to culminate in a historic mixed martial arts event on the White House lawn to celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial.
“Donald Trump is the most resilient human being that I have ever met in my life. If you ever wanted to look up what the definition of a fighter is, that guy’s it.”
— Dana White, UFC CEO
Battle Over the Smithsonian
Perhaps the most contentious front in this cultural war involves the interpretation of American history itself. The administration has directed significant criticism toward the Smithsonian Institution, particularly the National Museum of African American History and Culture, alleging that current exhibits focus excessively on “racial injustice” at the expense of national unity.
“The museums shifted very radically from being a preserver of the national inheritance, and a transmitter of the national inheritance, to the opposite: a place of resistance. A story of America seen through this prism of a battle between the marginalized and the dominant classes—a completely ideological exercise.”
— Michael Gonzalez, Heritage Foundation senior fellow
Context
The United States will celebrate its 250th anniversary of independence in 2026. The administration views this milestone as an opportunity to promote a vision of national identity rooted in traditional symbols and narratives, challenging what it describes as progressive orthodoxy in cultural institutions.
As the semiquincentennial approaches, the President’s efforts underscore a high-stakes battle over the nation’s narrative. By championing traditional symbols and challenging modern progressive orthodoxy in cultural institutions, the administration aims to leave a legacy that reshapes how Americans view themselves and their history.