Former President Donald Trump has called on the Smithsonian Institution to replace the "Infinity" sculpture outside the National Museum of American History with a statue of George Washington. Trump, in social media posts, stated that the current sculpture, which has been in place since 1967, "says nothing about America," while Washington "more than anyone else, says everything about America."
Trump also proposed that the museum host a five-year exhibition honoring Washington, marking the 300th anniversary of the first president's birth in February 2032. He further requested the installation of an 11-foot statue of Washington in the museum's Flag Hall by Constitution Day, September 17. The latter statue was reportedly featured at a recent event.
This call for changes to the museum's displays comes as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary. Trump has previously expressed criticism regarding the Smithsonian's presentation of American history, arguing for greater emphasis on the nation's founding principles and historical achievements. He specifically pointed to a perceived lack of attention given to George Washington and other Founding Fathers, and their significant contributions, such as Washington's crossing of the Delaware River.
Trump also criticized the Smithsonian's Center for Restorative History, an initiative aimed at highlighting historically excluded narratives. He suggested an alternative, a "Center for American Heroes," to focus on individuals who have overcome challenges, built significant achievements, and defended the country.
The Smithsonian's ability to comply with Trump's demands is uncertain. The institution operates outside the executive branch and is governed by a Board of Regents, which includes political figures and citizen members. The Smithsonian has not yet responded to requests for comment.
In previous actions, Trump signed an executive order in March 2025 aimed at addressing what the White House termed "divisive narratives" and "improper ideology" within the Smithsonian. A subsequent White House report also criticized the institution for a perceived lack of focus on figures like Washington. In July, Trump ordered that signs be placed outside the National Museum of American History to inform visitors about potentially inaccurate exhibits.
In response to such criticisms, the Smithsonian's Board of Regents stated its commitment to maintaining the institution's nonpartisan nature and scholarly independence. The board also acknowledged the need for improvement in ensuring museum content is unbiased.
Lonnie Bunch, the Smithsonian secretary, announced his departure at the end of the year. The "Infinity" sculpture was commissioned by the federal government and created by artist José de Rivera.
