Brandon Gill

Republican

Representative
State: TX
District: TX-26

Texas

via: timesnownews.com

'Is Mickey Mouse Racist?' Congressman Puts Smithsonian Director On The Spot Over DEI Toolkit

The exchange came as House Republicans scrutinised the Smithsonian over allegations of ideological bias in its exhibits and diversity initiatives.

Photo : AP

A House oversight hearing on the Smithsonian Institution turned into a sharp exchange on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives after Republican Congressman Brandon Gill questioned National Museum of American History Director Anthea Hartig over exhibits discussing Mickey Mouse's origins and a diversity toolkit that described "politeness" as a characteristic of "white supremacy culture."

The hearing, held before the House DOGE subcommittee, saw Republican lawmakers accuse the Smithsonian of promoting what they described as ideological activism through museum exhibits and internal diversity programmes.

Gill Questions Mickey Mouse Exhibit

During his questioning, Gill asked Hartig whether Mickey Mouse was racist. "Mickey Mouse is not racist," Hartig responded. Gill then referred to a Smithsonian exhibit discussing Disney's original Steamboat Willie character, which states that the cartoon reflects "vestiges of long-standing traditions of blackface minstrelsy."

When Gill asked whether that made the character racist, Hartig replied that Mickey Mouse's origins were "rooted in minstrelsy" before adding that it was not her role to determine whether those historical elements were problematic.

'Are You A White Supremacist?'

Gill then shifted his focus to the Museums as Sites for Social Action (MASS) Action Toolkit, a resource previously promoted within parts of the Smithsonian's DEI initiatives. The congressman first asked Hartig whether she believed being polite was important.

After Hartig answered "Yes," Gill cited passages from the MASS Action Toolkit that describe "politeness" as a feature associated with "white supremacy culture." "Ma'am, are you a white supremacist?" Gill asked.

Hartig immediately rejected the suggestion and said she was not. Gill then asked how the Smithsonian could promote a toolkit making such claims while museum leadership rejected the underlying premise.

Hartig Responds

Hartig responded that her staff did not author the MASS Action Toolkit, noting it had been created externally by museum professionals involved in social action initiatives. However, Gill argued that the Smithsonian had promoted and circulated the resource as part of its diversity programmes, making the institution accountable for its content.

The exchange formed part of broader Republican criticism that federal cultural institutions have adopted politically ideological frameworks rather than maintaining historical neutrality.

Committee members also scrutinised sexually explicit material displayed in certain exhibits and challenged the Smithsonian over what they characterised as politically activist programming. The hearing forms part of a wider Republican effort to examine federal institutions over diversity, equity and inclusion policies, historical interpretation and the use of taxpayer funding for public museums.

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Brandon Gill

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'Is Mickey Mouse Racist?' Congressman Puts Smithsonian Director On The Spot Over DEI Toolkit