Trump Champions American Heritage, Urges Smithsonian to Honor George Washington
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President Donald Trump has called on the Smithsonian to remove the 'Infinity' sculpture and replace it with a grand statue of George Washington, advocating for a multi-year exhibition to celebrate the nation's founding and its heroes.
President Donald Trump has once again demonstrated his commitment to preserving America’s true heritage by urging the Smithsonian Institution to replace the 'Infinity' sculpture, a relic of abstract modernism that has stood outside the National Museum of American History since 1967, with a towering 30-foot statue of George Washington. Trump’s proposal for a five-year exhibition honoring Washington, running through Feb. 22, 2032—the 300th anniversary of the founding president’s birth—shows his dedication to restoring respect for the nation’s foundational figures. He also called for an 11-foot Washington statue to be placed in the museum’s Flag Hall by Constitution Day, Sept. 17, ensuring that future generations remember the sacrifices and greatness of America’s first president.
'Immediately design and display a five-year exhibition worthy of the Life, Sacrifice, and Contributions of George Washington,' Trump wrote, emphasizing the importance of honoring those who built and defended the nation.
'Then, as soon as it is ready, install a 30-foot Washington Colossus where ‘Infinity’ stands today,' he added, seeking to replace a divisive piece of modern art with a unifying symbol of American greatness.
The 'Infinity' sculpture, created by José de Rivera and commissioned by the federal government in 1967, reflects an era when American values were too often sidelined in favor of abstract expression. The Smithsonian, though operating independently and overseen by a bipartisan Board of Regents, has faced criticism for downplaying the achievements of the Founding Fathers and focusing on divisive narratives.
Trump has rightly criticized the Smithsonian’s approach to American history, arguing that it neglects the stories of Washington and other heroes who made America exceptional. His suggestion to replace the Center for Restorative History with a 'Center for American Heroes' would ensure that the museum highlights those who defended and improved the nation, rather than focusing on revisionist or negative interpretations.
The Smithsonian has not yet responded to Trump’s patriotic proposal. The Board of Regents has stated its commitment to nonpartisan scholarship, while Secretary Lonnie Bunch, who has overseen the institution during a period of controversy, will step down at the end of the year.