President Trump called on the Smithsonian Institution Friday night to tear down a modernist sculpture and replace it with a massive statue honoring George Washington — accusing the museum of prioritizing “ideological activism” over American heroes.
In a Truth Social post, Trump demanded the institution erect a 30-foot bronze statue of Washington outside the National Museum of American History, replacing the abstract “Infinity” sculpture that has stood at the Madison Drive entrance since 1967.
“Replace a sculpture that says nothing about America with the man who, more than anyone else, says everything about America.”
The “Infinity” piece — a thin stainless steel ribbon rotating on a granite pedestal — was the first abstract work commissioned by the federal government in Washington, D.C. It represents time and technology, according to the D.C. Preservation League.
Trump called it irrelevant.
“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.”
The president wants the change completed before what would be Washington’s 300th birthday on February 22, 2032. He also demanded the museum install an 11-foot Washington statue in the Flag Hall by Constitution Day — September 17, 2026 — and create a five-year exhibition dedicated to the first president’s life.
Trump didn’t stop at the statue. He torched the Smithsonian’s recent focus on “decolonization” and oppression narratives under prior 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.
He pointed to one exhibit that describes Christopher Columbus’s discovery of the New World 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. Instead of a Center for Restorative History, America’s National History Museum should have a Center for American Heroes.”
Trump also criticized the museum for failing to honor Washington’s historic December 25, 1776 crossing of the Delaware River — calling it “one of the greatest moments and turning points of the Revolution” that isn’t even mentioned inside the museum.
“Washington’s Victory at Trenton, and the stories of the Americans who fought and [lost their lives] for our Independence, deserve far more attention,” Trump said.
The president closed with a direct challenge to Smithsonian leadership.
“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’s Truth Social post included a mock-up image showing the proposed bronze Washington statue towering where “Infinity” currently stands.
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… https://t.co/sox4bDl3cz pic.twitter.com/GG7ja2tdMA
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) September 12, 2026
The demand comes during the run-up to America’s 250th anniversary in 2026 — a milestone Trump has repeatedly used to call for renewed celebration of the Founding Fathers and America’s founding ideals.
