Trump Order Targets Smithsonian Exhibit on Race and Biology

Former President Donald Trump has reignited a debate over race and biology with an executive order targeting a Smithsonian Institution exhibit. The order specifically criticizes the exhibit's presentation of race as a social construct, a perspective widely accepted within the scientific community.

According to the executive order, the exhibit "promotes the view that race is not a biological reality but a social construct." This statement directly contradicts the scientific consensus, which emphasizes the social and cultural aspects of race while acknowledging the limited biological basis for racial categories.

The executive order has drawn criticism from scientists and educators who argue that it misrepresents established scientific understanding. They contend that the focus should be on understanding the social and historical factors that have shaped racial inequalities, rather than reinforcing outdated and inaccurate biological notions of race. Supporters of the order, however, argue that it is necessary to promote a more accurate understanding of race and to counter what they perceive as biased narratives.