DIThe Distraction Index

#cultural institutions

11 events across 9 weeks

1Damage
8Hype
2Noise
10.1Avg Dmg
40.8Avg Hype
WEEK 90Sep 13 – 19
HYPE2026-09-15
Trump Smithsonian Policy Changes
federal · narrow
Damage
—
Hype
25.5
WEEK 84Aug 2 – 8
HYPE2026-08-03
Trump Administration Reshapes Museums and Cultural Institutions
federal · moderate
Damage
—
Hype
54.5
HYPE2026-08-02
Trump Proposes Drastic Smithsonian Budget Cuts Citing 'Woke Ideology'
Resource Reallocationfederal · moderate
Damage
13.4
Hype
49.5
WEEK 82Jul 19 – 25
HYPE2026-07-25
Trump Orders Warning Signs at Smithsonian Museums
Norm Erosion Onlyfederal · narrow
Damage
9.5
Hype
72.3
HYPE2026-07-25
Trump Orders Smithsonian Museum Warning Signs on 'Inaccurate' Exhibits
Norm Erosion Onlyfederal · broad
Damage
0.5
Hype
62.0
WEEK 80Jul 5 – 11
HYPE2026-07-05
White House Report Brands Smithsonian Leadership as 'Radical Activists'
Personnel Capturefederal · narrow
Damage
29.9
Hype
61.8
WEEK 78Jun 21 – 27
HYPE2026-06-20
Kennedy Center Closure for Renovations
Resource Reallocationfederal · moderate
Damage
2.2
Hype
50.8
WEEK 51Dec 14 – 20
HYPE2025-12-19
Kennedy Center Board Votes to Rename Venue as Trump-Kennedy Center
Norm Erosion Onlyfederal · narrow
Damage
14.5
Hype
30.5
WEEK 49Nov 30 – Dec 6
NOISE2025-12-05
Libraries and Museums Receive Federal Funding Restoration
Resource Reallocationfederal · moderate
Damage
0.3
Hype
3.1
WEEK 19May 4 – 10
DMG2025-05-10
Librarian of Congress Firing and Cultural Institution Upheaval
Personnel Capturefederal · moderate
Damage
32.6
Hype
20.1
WEEK 14Mar 30 – Apr 5
NOISE2025-04-05
AG James Challenges Trump Order Targeting Federal Library and Museum Agency
Judicial/Legal Actionfederal · narrow
Damage
8.2
Hype
18.5