President Donald Trump has called for the Smithsonian Institution to install a massive George Washington monument. The proposal, shared via social media, includes replacing an existing sculpture and creating a new historical exhibit.
Replacing Jose de Rivera’s "Infinity" with a 30-foot Washington monument
Trump's proposal seeks to fundamentally alter the landscape of the National Mall in Washington. According to the Associated Press, the President wants to install a 30-foot statue of George Washington outside the National Museum of American History. This new monument would replace the "Infinity" sculpture by New York artist Jose de Rivera, which was commissioned by the federal government and installed back in 1967.
In addition to the massive replacement, Trump suggested that an 11-foot statue of Washington, similar to one seen recently, should be installed for Constitution Day on September 17. The President characterized Washington as "America's Greatest Hero," arguing that the nation's freedoms would not exist without him.
A commemorative exhibit running until Washington's 300th anniversary in 2032
The President is also pushing for a dedicated exhibit to honor the nation's first president. The report notes that Trump requested this exhibit begin immediately and run through February 22, 2032, to coincide with the 300th anniversary of Washington’s birth.
A key part of his critique involves the museum's current narrative ; Trump specifically complained that the National Museum of American History fails to highlight Washington's famous crossing of the Delaware River during the Revolutionary War. He views the current presentation of history as incomplete without these specific traditional milestones.
The clash between "Restorative History" and the proposed "Center for American Heroes"
This push for traditionalist monuments comes as a direct challenge to the Smithsonian's recent educational initiatives. Trump has criticized the "Center for Restorative History," a program designed to highlight historical stories that have been previously excluded from the national narrative. In its place, he demanded the creation of a "Center for American Heroes."
This follows a July directive from the administration to place signs in front of the U.S. history museum, informing visitors that certain exhibits may be "inaccurate" as part of a broader effort to reshape the American story. This move signals a significant tension between the administration's political goals and the Smithsonian's academic mission.
Will the Board of Regents led by JD Vance and John Roberts intervene?
While the President has made these demands on Truth Social, the ultimate authority over the Smithsonian rests with its Board of Regents. This leadership group includes Vice President JD Vance, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, and a mix of lawmakers and citizens.
It remains unclear whether this Board will act on the President's social media requests or if they will defend the museum's existing "Restorative History" initiatives . Furthermore, the reporting does not specify if the administration has provided a budget for the 30-foot statue or how the museum intends to handle the removal of the 1967 de Rivera sculpture.
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