Trump Urges Smithsonian to Swap Modern Sculpture for Giant Washington Statue

President Trump has called on the Smithsonian Institution to remove a modernist sculpture outside the National Museum of American History and replace it with a 30-foot statue of George Washington. The proposal forms part of broader plans to commemorate the nation's first president ahead of his 300th birthday in 2032.

In a Truth Social post, Trump specified that the 11-foot Washington statue displayed at the recent Freedom 250 Grand Prix Race should first be installed in the museum's Flag Hall by Constitution Day on September 17, 2026. He directed officials to create a five-year exhibition focused on Washington's life, sacrifices, and contributions. Once completed, a much larger 30-foot "Washington Colossus" would take the place of the existing sculpture known as Infinity.

The current piece, a rotating abstract work by artist Jose de Rivera, was installed in 1967 as the first modern artwork commissioned by the federal government for the National Mall. Trump described it as a strange modernist creation that inspires no one and says nothing about America. He contrasted it directly with Washington, the figure he said embodies everything essential about the country.

The move comes as Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch prepares to retire at the end of the year. During Bunch's tenure the institution expanded efforts that incorporated diversity, equity, and inclusion themes across multiple museums, along with contemporary art installations that often emphasized abstract or conceptual approaches over traditional representation.

Trump's request highlights a preference for statues that celebrate specific historical achievements rather than abstract forms. Washington led the Continental Army to victory in the Revolutionary War, presided over the Constitutional Convention, and set precedents as the first president that shaped the structure of American government. His decisions, including voluntarily stepping down after two terms, established patterns of civilian leadership that distinguished the new republic from European monarchies.

Critics of the current Infinity sculpture have long noted its lack of connection to any particular American event or value. Abstract works of this type gained favor in government commissions during the mid-20th century, reflecting artistic trends that prioritized form and movement over narrative content. Supporters of such pieces argue they represent forward-looking creativity, yet public response has frequently favored recognizable figures from the nation's founding era.

The proposed exhibition and statue would direct attention back to Washington's documented record. Primary sources show his emphasis on union, his management of a diverse army drawn from different colonies, and his insistence on constitutional limits to power. These elements remain central to understanding how the United States developed its system of ordered liberty.

If implemented, the changes would mark a shift in how the Smithsonian presents the founding period. Previous administrations have sometimes prioritized newer interpretive frameworks that place greater weight on later social movements. Trump's directive instead centers the individual whose military and political actions made the nation's independence possible. The timeline calls for the smaller statue placement this September, with the larger monument to follow once designed and fabricated.