President Donald Trump is calling on the Smithsonian to replace the abstract Infinity sculpture outside the National Museum of American History with a 30-foot George Washington statue while launching a five-year exhibition honoring the nation’s first president.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom.
President Donald Trump is pressing the Smithsonian Institution to dramatically expand its commemoration of George Washington, calling for a 30-foot “Colossus statue” outside the National Museum of American History, an additional 11-foot Washington statue inside the museum and a new exhibition lasting through the 300th anniversary of Washington’s birth in 2032.
In a lengthy Truth Social statement, Trump said the proposed outdoor monument should replace Infinity, the rotating abstract stainless-steel sculpture by José de Rivera that has stood on the museum’s National Mall entrance plaza since 1967. Smithsonian records identify Infinity as the first abstract sculpture installed on the National Mall and say it was dedicated March 28, 1967.
“I am calling on the Smithsonian Institution to honor the Life and Legacy of George Washington, America’s Greatest Hero, with a five-year exhibition at the National Museum of American History, beginning now, and continuing through, February 22, 2032, the 300th anniversary of Washington’s birth,” Trump wrote.
“I am also calling on the Smithsonian to erect a 30-foot ‘Colossus statue’ of the Father of Our Country outside the Museum, to replace the so-called ‘Infinity’ sculpture that stands there today. That strange modernist sculpture tells visitors nothing about America, inspires no one, and honors none of our Great American Heroes.”
“George Washington does. He is easily America’s Greatest Hero. Without him, our Country and our Freedoms wouldn’t exist.”
Trump tied the proposal to the nation’s 250th anniversary and argued that the museum has not devoted sufficient attention to Washington’s role in the Revolutionary War.
“And yet, during our Nation’s 250th Anniversary Year, the Museum has failed to give George Washington and our other Founding Fathers the celebration they deserve. Washington’s Heroic Crossing of the Delaware on December 25, 1776—One of the greatest moments and turning points of the Revolution—is not even mentioned in the Museum. His Victory at Trenton, and the stories of the Americans who fought and died for our Independence, deserve far more attention,” Trump wrote.
His proposal goes beyond the replacement of Infinity. Trump also criticized historical approaches adopted by previous Smithsonian leadership, including the institution’s Center for Restorative History and work involving decolonization. The White House has made similar arguments through its July report, Saving America’s Story, which presented the administration’s critique of exhibits and programs at the National Museum of American History.
“Under recently ended leadership, the Smithsonian created a ‘Center for Restorative History,’ and commissioned a ‘Decolonization Plan,’ to focus attention overwhelmingly on those who have been oppressed, but there is almost no attention paid to those who triumphed over great oppression, and against great odds,” Trump wrote.
“One current exhibit describes the period of 1492 to 1776, including Christopher Columbus’s discovery of the New World, and the European settlement of America, as the ‘Great Unsettling’ of the Continent.”
“That tells you all you need to know about how twisted the thinking is today at the Smithsonian.”
Trump proposed replacing that emphasis with what he called a “Center for American Heroes.”
“Instead of a Center for Restorative History, America’s National History Museum should have a Center for American Heroes,” he wrote.
“Tell the stories of Americans who faced great challenges, overcame them, built great things, defended our Country, made America better, and helped our Nation more fully live up to our Founding Ideals.”
“That is a History worth teaching, because it is America’s story.”
“Instead of focusing on ideological activism, the leaders of America’s taxpayer-funded, National History Museum should be focused on telling America’s story—fairly, accurately, and coherently—and there is no better person to start with than George Washington.”
Trump issued a second, more immediate request in another Truth Social post, asking the Smithsonian to place an existing 11-foot statue of Washington inside the National Museum of American History’s Flag Hall and dedicate it on Constitution Day, Sept. 17. The statue was recently displayed at the Freedom 250 Grand Prix.
“So, I’m asking for the Smithsonian to install the 11-foot Washington statue that was featured at the recent Freedom 250 Grand Prix Race in the Museum’s Flag Hall, and dedicate it this Constitution Day, September 17, 2026,” Trump wrote.
“Immediately design and display a five-year exhibition worthy of the Life, Sacrifice, and Contributions of George Washington.”
“Then, as soon as it is ready, install a 30-foot Washington Colossus where ‘Infinity’ stands today.”
“Replace a sculpture that says nothing about America with the man who, more than anyone else, says everything about America.”
“This is how we should begin to honor George Washington in the lead-up to his 300th birthday in 2032. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP”
The proposal comes days after Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III announced that he will retire after nearly 38 years of service to the institution. The Smithsonian announced his retirement Sept. 8 and said additional details concerning the leadership transition would be released later. The institution’s announcement did not attribute Bunch’s decision to the administration’s criticism of the Smithsonian.
Trump and the White House have been publicly challenging the Smithsonian’s presentation of American history for months. A 162-page White House report released in July accused the National Museum of American History of allowing political and ideological priorities to shape its exhibits. Those conclusions represent the administration’s assessment of the museum and have been disputed by critics of Trump’s effort to influence Smithsonian programming.
The Smithsonian’s own records show that Infinity was commissioned through the federal government’s Art-in-Architecture program and installed outside what was then called the Museum of History and Technology in 1967. The polished stainless-steel loop slowly rotates atop a black granite base and has occupied the site for nearly six decades.
Trump now wants that location devoted to Washington, making the proposed “Colossus” the centerpiece of a broader five-year commemoration culminating Feb. 22, 2032 — 300 years after Washington’s birth.
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