# Newly Elected Congress Can Save Smithsonian

> Democrats flip Congress, potentially restoring Smithsonian funding and leadership.
- Title: Newly Elected Congress Can Save Smithsonian · Vanity Fair
- Summary: Democrats flip Congress, potentially restoring Smithsonian funding and leadership.
- Keywords: congress, smithsonian, democrats, house, senate, funding, lonnie bunch, hirschhorn museum, alma allen, tilman fertitta, yoshitomo nara, lacma
- Source: Vanity Fair — https://vanityfair.com/story/how-the-newly-elected-congress-can-save-the-smithsonian
- Author: Nate Freeman
- Published: 2026-11-06T23:21:55.046+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: congress, smithsonian, democrats, house, senate, funding, lonnie bunch, hirschhorn museum, alma allen, tilman fertitta, yoshitomo nara, lacma
## Newly Elected Congress
Democrats flipped the House and Senate after November 6, 2026 elections.
## Smithsonian Funding Crisis
Trump attacked Smithsonian with executive orders and firings over two years.
## Congressional Authority
Congress controls Smithsonian funding but White House pressured directors and censored art.
## Lonnie Bunch Resigns
Lonnie Bunch resigned as Smithsonian secretary earlier this year.
## Hirshhorn Director Vacancy
Melissa Chiu stepped down as Hirshhorn director to become Guggenheim director.
## Yoshitomo Nara Show
Nara's two-location show opened at David Zwirner gallery in New York.
## Venice Biennale Art
Alma Allen's artworks at Venice Biennale may stay in Italy due to funding issues.
## Tilman Fertitta
Tilman Fertitta, an Italian ambassador, might move Venice Biennale artworks.
## Nara Auction
Nara's painting In the Milky Lake / Thinking One auctioned for $10 million to $15 million.
## LACMA Art+Film Gala
LACMA honored Vija Celmins and Denis Villeneuve at Art+Film Gala.
## Congressional Impact
New Congress could fund Smithsonian museums and reshape board of regents.
## Smithsonian Future
Democratic leadership may stabilize Smithsonian under new funding and leadership.
## Key takeaway

Newly elected Democrats could secure Smithsonian funding and leadership after Trump's attacks on cultural institutions.