Smithsonian exec who said DEI 'must be at the center' of institutions is raking in eye-popping salary
Trump administration report accused the federally-funded institution of ideological capture and extreme political activism
By Leo Briceno , Cameron Cawthorne Fox News
Published July 30, 2026 6:00am EDT
Trump orders warning signs outside Smithsonian over 'woke' exhibits
President Donald Trump orders warning signs outside the Smithsonian, alleging politicized exhibits that emphasize activism over history. The institution faces scrutiny for promoting racial reparations and for a 2020 infographic criticizing 'white culture.' A congressional hearing further ignited debate over the museum's 'woke' displays and their historical accuracy, highlighting the growing tension.
FIRST ON FOX: Lonnie Bunch III, the Smithsonian Institution secretary who called DEI an "integral to excellence in museum practice," raked in over $4.4 million from 2020-2024 in base salary and added benefits, a Fox News Digital review found.
While the Smithsonian funds executive compensation through private trust revenues to comply with federal pay caps, the high-dollar package could draw fresh scrutiny because federal taxpayers still fund roughly 60% of the institution's overall budget.
During his tenure, Bunch has championed a sweeping transformation of the institution's cultural footprint, stating during a 2019 interview with the Smithsonian Magazine that he wanted the Smithsonian to make "diversity and inclusion so central that it’s no longer talked about."
"We call ourselves the Great Convener, but we’re really a great legitimizer. And I want the Smithsonian to legitimize important issues, whether it’s 1619 or climate change," Bunch said, referring to the controversial 1619 Project that has been repeatedly slammed for "egregious errors" by scholars. "We help people think about what’s important, what they should debate, what they should embrace."
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/smithsonian-exec-said-dei-must-be-at-center-institutions-raking-eye-popping-salary
