Donald Trump has called on the Smithsonian to install massive statues of George Washington and launch a "Center for American Heroes." The proposal suggests replacing existing modern art and restorative history initiatives with exhibits honoring the first president.
The 30-foot Washington statue and the 2032 deadline
Donald Trump is requesting that the Smithsonian National Museum of American History install a 30-foot statue of George Washington to replace the "Infinity" sculpture. According to the report , the existing sculpture was created by New York artist Jose de Rivera, commissioned by the federal government and installed in 1967.. This move is part of a broader vision to center the museum around the nation's first president.
The proposal includes a specific timeline, with Donald Trump seeking a special exhibit that would run from the present through February 22,2032, marking the 300th anniversary of Washington's birth. additionally, for Constitution Day on September 17, the former president asked the Smithsonian to place an 11-foot statue of Washington—previously seen at the Freedom 250 IndyCar race—inside the museum's Flag Hall.
Replacing the Center for Restorative History with a Center for American Heroes
A central pillar of the request is the removal of the Center for Restorative History, a museum initiative designed to highlight stories previously excluded from the national historical narrative. As reported, Donald Trump believes the Smithsonian should instead establish a "Center for American Heroes," arguing that George Washington is "America's Greatest Hero" and essential to the country's freedoms.
Donald Trump specifically criticized the Smithsonian National Museum of American History for failing to mention George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River during the Revolutionary War. By replacing restorative history with a hero-centric model, the administration aims to shift the museum's focus away from what it describes as divisive narratives.
A 250-statue park and the push to reshape the National Mall
This request is not an isolated event but part of a consistent effort by Donald Trump to remake the visual landscape of the U.S. capital. The report notes that Donald Trump intends to build a park along the Potomac River specifically to display statues of 250 prominent Americans. He has already implemented this aesthetic preference on a smaller scale by installing a George Washington statue in his remodeled Rose Garden patio.
The push to alter the Smithsonian's presentation of history follows a July order from Donald Trump to place signs in front of the U.S. history museum . These signs are intended to warn visitors that certain exhibits are inaccurate, reflecting a broader administrative goal to reshape how the story of the United States is told to the public.
The Board of Regents and the limits of executive power
It remains unclear if Donald Trump possesses the legal authority to force these changes upon the Smithsonian. The Smithsonian Institution operates outside the executive branch and is governed by a Board of Regents , which includes Chief Justice John Roberts, Vice President JD Vance, and a bipartisan group of lawmakers and citizens.
While Donald Trump revealed intentions in March to use an executive order to target funding for programs promoting "improper ideology," the independence of the Board of Regents creates a significant hurdle. Whether the Smithsonian will comply with the request for a 30-foot statue and a new heroes center remains an open question, as the institution has not yet issued a formal response.
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