Trump Urges Smithsonian to Swap Modern Sculpture for Giant Washington Statue

President Trump has called on the Smithsonian to remove a rotating abstract sculpture outside the National Museum of American History and replace it with a 30-foot-tall statue of George Washington. The demand comes as part of preparations for the first president's 300th birthday in 2032, and it targets what Trump described as a piece of art that says nothing about the country it is meant to represent.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump specifically asked the museum to install an 11-foot Washington statue from a recent event into the Flag Hall by Constitution Day and then erect the larger colossus where the current sculpture stands. He singled out the existing work, titled Infinity, as a strange modernist object that inspires no one. The piece, designed by artist Jose de Rivera and dedicated in 1967, was the first modern artwork the federal government commissioned for the National Mall under its Art and Architecture Program. It has sat in front of the museum for nearly six decades.

Trump framed the change as a way to honor Washington properly after years of neglect by cultural institutions. He noted that the man who did more than anyone else to shape America deserves a visible tribute rather than an abstract form that communicates little to visitors. The move fits into a wider effort to restore focus on the nation's founding figures at a time when many federal museums have shifted toward other priorities.

The timing aligns with the planned retirement of Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch at the end of the year. Bunch oversaw an expansion of programming that emphasized diversity initiatives and contemporary interpretations of American history. Critics have pointed to the introduction of exhibits and artworks that often downplay traditional narratives in favor of newer ideological frameworks. The Infinity sculpture itself reflects that era's preference for abstract forms over representational ones that celebrate specific individuals or events.

Trump's proposal for a towering Washington figure would stand in clear contrast to the current installation. The larger statue would be visible to far more passersby on the Mall and would serve as a direct reminder of the country's origins rather than an exercise in geometric rotation. Supporters of the change argue that public spaces on federal property should reflect the people and principles that built the nation instead of serving as platforms for experimental art funded by taxpayers.

The Smithsonian has not yet responded to the request. The museum's leadership has historically defended its collection decisions as part of a commitment to artistic innovation. Yet the push from the White House highlights ongoing tensions over how government institutions present American history to the public. With Bunch stepping down, the incoming leadership will face immediate questions about whether to maintain the current approach or adjust course toward more conventional displays of national heritage.

Trump's comments also referenced the need for a dedicated exhibition on Washington's life and contributions to be ready by next year. That timeline would position the museum to mark the upcoming anniversary with materials focused on the first president's military and political record rather than broader social themes. The combination of the statue request and the exhibition call signals an effort to re-center founding-era figures at one of the most visited sites in the capital.