Obsessively Fact Checked. Meticulously Sourced. Wickedly Funny. Objectively Terrifying.
Our four-part manifesto for navigating the collapse of reality. This isn’t a museum - It’s a savage, satirical reality anchor in a sea of weaponized delusion.
We are living in 2025, and the American narrative is officially cooked. They are rewriting the past in real-time. The gaslighting is structural. The Smithsonian is getting scrubbed, the Kennedy Center hijacked by political hacks. They want a history of gleaming marble and triumphant myths, a sanitized fairy tale where the chaos, the cruelty, and the corruption simply vanish into the memory hole.
We refuse.
If the official institutions are forced to lie, then we must build a monument to the savage truth. A bunker for the receipts.
Enter The Trumpsonian. A pop-up museum experience built for this precise moment of madness. We are not here to be polite. We are here to preserve the record, to weaponize the absurdity, and to fuel the resistance.
This is our manifesto. Our promise. Our battle plan.
Obsessively Fact-Checked
What it means: No claim goes unchecked. Every detail The Trumpsonian presents – every quote on the wall, every date, every statistic – is verified and re-verified with obsessive rigor. “Obsessively fact-checked” means we refuse to publish or display anything that isn’t backed by evidence. In practice, this is more than a motto; it’s a discipline. It’s the painstaking work of confirming the exact wording of a speech or the precise timeline of an event. It’s ensuring that if we say something happened, it absolutely did – and exactly how we say it did.
How we implement it: The Trumpsonian approaches its exhibits like an investigative newsroom or an academic archive. Our curation team digs into primary sources, cross-references multiple accounts, and consults experts when needed. For example, if an exhibit highlights a presidential quote or a policy decision, we trace it back to official transcripts, videos, or credible reports. We document the chain of evidence behind every artifact on display. This means that when you walk into our pop-up museum or browse our digital content, you can trust that every element is founded on fact – from the wording of a notorious tweet to the layout of an infamous scene in the White House. We don’t do rumor or innuendo; we do facts, diligently and relentlessly.
Why it matters now: In today’s America, this commitment to truth is not just idealism – it’s a survival strategy for democracy. We’ve all witnessed how a flood of falsehoods can poison public discourse. (The Washington Post counted 30,573 false or misleading claims by Donald Trump during his presidency.)1 Such an onslaught of misinformation isn’t just staggering – it’s dangerous. When leaders continuously repeat untruths, conspiracy theories, or “alternative facts,” it erodes the very notion of reality. The result? Citizens don’t know what to believe, and without a shared baseline of truth, a democracy cannot function. The Trumpsonian’s obsessive fact-checking is our answer to this crisis. We cut through the noise and fog of disinformation by anchoring everything to verifiable fact. By refusing to let even small inaccuracies slip through, we uphold an uncompromised record of events. In a time when lies about elections and history have incited violence and division, this rigor is our bulwark. It ensures that visitors and readers confront what actually happened, not the “truth” as twisted by those in power. We believe that an informed public – armed with real facts – is the best defense against the encroachment of authoritarianism and the decay of democratic norms.
Meticulously Sourced
What it means: Show your receipts. “Meticulously sourced” is the natural companion to being fact-checked. It’s not enough for us to assert that something is true – we feel an obligation to show how we know it’s true. Every claim or story The Trumpsonian presents is accompanied by sources that anyone can examine. We cite documents, videos, photographs, and credible journalism so that our audience can trace every truth back to its origin. Meticulous sourcing means transparency. It means if we reference a presidential order or a controversial event, we’ll point you directly to the evidence – whether it’s a declassified memo, a museum archive, a court record, or a reputable news report.
How we implement it: Walk through a Trumpsonian exhibit and you’ll notice that context and references are built into the experience. Our installations often weave in the very artifacts of history – actual quotes from speeches, copies of legal filings, screenshots of real tweets, and more – so that visitors aren’t just taking our word for it, they’re seeing and hearing the source material firsthand. In our upcoming exhibits, you might scan a QR code next to a display to pull up the primary source document on your phone. A room depicting a pivotal moment will include screens or plaques that credit where the information comes from: perhaps the National Archives for a transcript, or a respected newspaper for a timeline of events. Even our humor has footnotes – the jokes land because they’re tethered to documented reality. By practicing radical transparency in our curation, we invite everyone to verify the truth for themselves.
Why it matters now: This approach is vital in a moment when bad actors are literally trying to erase or rewrite history. Consider what’s happening around us: A recent executive order from the White House explicitly directed the Smithsonian Institution and other federal historical sites to “reverse and remove” scholarly programs related to race and gender, dismissing them as “divisive narratives” and “improper ideology”.2 Funding is being threatened for museums that don’t toe a political line. We’ve seen school curricula gutted and library books banned for not fitting a sanitized story of America. The Trump administration and its allies are engaged in what the Congressional Black Caucus has bluntly called “whitewashing our nation’s history”3 – an attempt to make us “believe what [they say] and not what we can see with our own two eyes.” In this climate, The Trumpsonian’s commitment to meticulous sourcing is an act of resistance. We will not cut out the uncomfortable parts of the story just because they’re uncomfortable. We will not allow important facts to be smeared as “improper” and excised from the record. Instead, we double down on evidence. By laying out our sources for all to see, we ensure that even if powerful figures try to deny an event – say, the role of racism in our history or an abuse of power that occurred – the proof remains accessible and undeniable. Our sourcing is a safeguard against the collective amnesia being enforced elsewhere. It arms citizens, journalists, and educators with the documentation they need to challenge false narratives. In short, to be meticulously sourced is to fortify the truth so it can withstand the assault of propaganda and political convenience.
Wickedly Funny
What it means: Speak truth with a smile (and sometimes a snicker). The Trumpsonian isn’t a dry recitation of facts; it’s an experience – one that uses humor and satire to captivate and illuminate. “Wickedly funny” means we aren’t afraid to wield comedy as a weapon against corruption and absurdity. Our tone can be playful, sharp, and darkly comedic, because sometimes laughter is the only sane response to the insanity of what we’re documenting. Importantly, our humor has an edge (“wickedly” so) – it’s not slapstick or trivial. It’s the kind of humor that makes you laugh and then think, “Wow… did that really happen?” We use wit to draw people in, to help them process hard truths, and to call out the truly ridiculous aspects of recent history. Far from undermining the seriousness of the subject matter, our comedic approach highlights the absurdity of wrongdoing and the irony of the current moment. It’s satire in service of the truth.
How we implement it: Step into The Trumpsonian and you’ll immediately see our sense of humor on display – literally. We use vibrant, immersive exhibits that often parody and exaggerate Trump-era iconography to reveal deeper truths. For example, one planned room recreates the White House dining area on the day of an infamous tantrum – plates appear frozen in mid-air and ketchup drips down the walls after a dish was allegedly hurled in anger. It’s a visually funny scene, almost cartoonish – but it’s grounded in a real event, dramatizing a behind-closed-doors moment of chaos. In another corner, you might find a gaudy Mar-a-Lago bathroom setup, complete with a gold toilet and stacks of “classified” boxes, inviting visitors to peek inside and discover absurdly redacted “secrets.” It’s wickedly humorous – who would’ve imagined top-secret documents piled next to the toilet! – yet it reflects the very real discovery of classified files at the former president’s resort. Our exhibits mix theater and comedy: a wax figure of Trump brandishing a Bible upside-down (a nod to a notorious photo-op) stands against a backdrop of riot police, while an AR filter magically flips the Bible right-side up in visitors’ snapshots – a tongue-in-cheek correction of history. We even let guests engage in the satire: step into a karaoke booth to belt out lines from Trump’s actual phone calls – yes, including the Ukraine “perfect call” and the Georgia election plea – reading along with the real transcripts as your script. It’s funny in a jaw-dropping way, because the transcripts themselves are astonishing. Through interactive storytelling and creative gallows humor, The Trumpsonian delivers information in a way that’s entertaining and unforgettable. Each laugh we provoke is deliberate: it disarms our visitors, opening them up to digest the heavy truths that underlie the punchlines.
Why we do it: In bleak times, humor is not just an escape; it’s a form of courage and connection. We’ve learned from history (and from great satirists) that ridicule can be a powerful antidote to pomposity and propaganda. Authoritarians often fear being laughed at more than being argued with – because laughter undercuts their mystique and challenges their dominance. By being wickedly funny, we chip away at the aura of invincibility that demagogues try to project. Moreover, comedy helps overcome fatigue. Let’s face it: after years of scandal upon scandal, many Americans feel numb or exhausted. Important news can become white noise. Satire jolts people awake. It helps critical truths go down a bit easier and stick in the memory a bit longer. When you share a laugh at an exhibit – say, chuckling at a “Bankruptcy Bounce House” that you can literally jump in (a bouncy castle labeled with failed Trump businesses) – you’re also more likely to remember the cautionary tale behind that humor (the pain of those failures, the creditors left hanging, the pattern of fraud). Our goal is never to make light of danger, but to use lightness to shine a spotlight on danger. By keeping the tone accessible and even fun, we open the door for broader audiences – including younger visitors and those who might skip a history lecture – to engage with civics and history. And importantly, humor gives us hope. In an environment where headlines can be terrifying, a hearty, knowing laugh shared among fellow citizens reminds us that we’re in this together and that we still have the freedom to call out absurdity when we see it. That in itself is a small triumph for free expression.
Objectively Terrifying
What it means: The truth is scary – and we don’t sugarcoat it. This final line of our slogan is a stark reminder: as much as we fact-check obsessively, source meticulously, and deploy wit to draw you in, what we are showing you remains objectively terrifying. The phrase “objectively terrifying” underlines that the horror we document isn’t hyperbole or partisan dramatization; it’s rooted in objective reality. In other words, if what The Trumpsonian curates doesn’t shake you, you’re not paying attention. The facts we present – in all their verified, sourced glory – tell a story that is deeply troubling for anyone who cares about American democracy. This ranges from the blatant abuses of power and assaults on the rule of law, to the insidious efforts to rewrite history and undermine our institutions. We pair “terrifying” with “objectively” to emphasize that the fear or alarm we’re highlighting isn’t subjective or invented for shock value. It’s real. Anyone looking squarely at these events and trends – regardless of their politics – should feel a chill at what’s happening to our country. It is terrifying, and the truth speaks for itself.
How we implement it: The Trumpsonian experience is designed to leave visitors both enlightened and rattled. Yes, you will laugh at the absurd displays, but you will also feel the gravity of what you’ve witnessed. For instance, one of our centerpiece exhibits is a 360° Jan 6th Riot VR simulation. Visitors put on a VR headset and find themselves in the midst of the Capitol insurrection – not watching it on a screen, but standing inside it, from multiple perspectives. You can switch between the eyes of a rioter storming a barricade, a panicked journalist reporting from the scene, or a Capitol police officer making a desperate stand. The surround sound of the mob’s roar and the shouts of “Stop the steal!” make your heart pound. It is harrowing – some have called it an “unsettling yet powerful climax” to the journey. And it’s not a fictional scenario; it’s built from real footage, real audio, real events of that day. The intent is to ensure no one can downplay the reality of January 6, 2021 – to engrave in the public consciousness how close we came to losing our democracy in that moment. Likewise, when you “karaoke” the exact words of a President pressuring Georgia’s Secretary of State to “find 11,780 votes,” it’s darkly fun in concept – but as you say the words out loud, the enormity of that abuse of power hits you in the gut. These are the kinds of experiences that stick with you long after you leave our museum. They are objectively frightening truths presented in an immersive way. By the end of a Trumpsonian tour, the laughter at our satire often gives way to a sober realization: My God, look what has happened. How do we stop this from happening again? In that charged emotional space – somewhere between outrage and determination – is where we want to leave our audience. Because that discomfort is productive; it’s the seed of action.
Why this approach matters in the current climate: Simply put, we are living through objectively terrifying times for anyone committed to democratic values and historical truth. The warning signs are flashing all around us, and The Trumpsonian’s approach is tailored to confront them head-on. Consider recent events: In February, President Trump unilaterally purged half the board of the Kennedy Center – one of America’s premier cultural institutions – and installed himself as its chairman4. In one move, a traditionally nonpartisan arts center was effectively turned into a political arm of the presidency. As one arts scholar observed, “with Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center board, this national cultural center has now… turned into a branch of the White House,” a “disturbing turn of events” for a nation built on free artistic expression. A few weeks later, Trump signed that executive order targeting the Smithsonian and other museums, a directive tantamount to enforced historical amnesia. The Association of American Historians didn’t mince words in response: “Rather than a return to sanity... it is a whitewashing to destroy the truth,” they declared.5 They noted that, as a result of these attacks on “divisive” history, museums dedicated to documenting slavery, racism, and other dark chapters have already begun losing federal support. This is the broader context in which The Trumpsonian operates – a context where the government is openly wielding its power to reshape the historical narrative to its liking, where nationalism is twisting history into a tool of political propaganda. (As historian Javier Moreno Luzón aptly put it, “All nationalism turns to history to impose its own version of it… often manipulating or distorting history to that end.”) These are not abstract worries; they are happening in real time. If this doesn’t terrify you, it should. And if it does terrify you, know that you’re not alone – and that fear can be galvanized into action.
By being “objectively terrifying,” The Trumpsonian forces us to face the full, hard truth of our moment: that American democracy is under attack not just from lies and liars, but from a concerted movement to make the truth itself disappear. We shine a light on that darkness, even as some would prefer we keep our eyes shut. Our exhibits and archives preserve the evidence that others would like to cast down the memory hole. It’s often said that “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Well, we’re remembering – fiercely. And we’re helping to ensure everyone else remembers too, no matter how frightening the memory. The only thing more terrifying than confronting these truths would be to ignore them. So we choose to confront them, together, with eyes wide open.
A Call to Action for Donors and Supporters
We’ve built The Trumpsonian on the principles of truth, transparency, humor, and courage – but to continue this work, we need you. If you’ve read this far, you understand that our mission is both vital and urgent. The forces of disinformation and historical revisionism are well-funded and relentless. Countering them requires resources, resilience, and a community of citizens who care. This is where our donors and supporters become just as important a part of the story as our exhibits.
Your support for The Trumpsonian is a direct investment in democratic resilience and historical truth-telling. It powers our ability to research and fact-check every exhibit with scholarly precision. It helps us acquire and preserve the documents and multimedia evidence that keep history honest. It enables us to employ the creative technologists and designers who make our museum experiences so engaging (and yes, wickedly funny), ensuring that the truth reaches hearts and minds in unforgettable ways. It allows us to take The Trumpsonian on the road – to new cities, to schools and communities that need to hear these truths – and to maintain an online presence where these curated facts can live on, freely accessible, as an educational resource for all.
Perhaps most importantly, your support sends a message: that Americans won’t sit quietly while our history is rewritten by the powerful. By contributing, you’re joining a proud lineage of patrons who stood up for knowledge and culture in times of crisis. Think of it as funding not just a museum, but a movement – one that uses the past to inform the present, and uses truth to safeguard the future.
We invite you to stand with us. Visit our website, learn more about our upcoming exhibits, and if you are able, please donate. Every dollar is a vote of confidence in factual reality over convenient fiction. Every donation is a stake planted in defense of the idea that our shared story – America’s story, in all its complexities – belongs to the people, not to any one politician or party. With your help, The Trumpsonian will continue to shine light in dark times, inspire laughter and learning, and rally citizens to protect the truth upon which our democracy depends.
Now is the time to act. The challenges we face are indeed objectively terrifying – but together, armed with knowledge and fortified by our values, we can ensure that truth prevails. Join us in this mission. Help The Trumpsonian keep history honest, hold power to account, and remind America of what really happened. In doing so, you’ll be helping to write the next chapter – one where we, the people, refused to let lies and fear win.
Let’s safeguard the truth, with open eyes and determined hearts, so that future generations can look back and say that in this pivotal moment, we stood up for reality. The Trumpsonian is doing its part – will you do yours?
Together, we can keep this endeavor obsessively fact-checked, meticulously sourced, wickedly funny, and yes – when necessary – objectively terrifying, for the sake of preserving democracy and truth. Thank you for your support.