President Donald Trump is calling on the Smithsonian Institution to install a colossal 30-foot statue of George Washington outside the National Museum of American History, replacing the abstract “Infinity” sculpture that has stood at the site since 1967.
In a series of late-night posts on Truth Social on Friday, Trump asked the Smithsonian to immediately begin a five-year exhibition honoring the nation’s first president, running through February 22, 2032—the 300th anniversary of Washington’s birth. He also requested that an 11-foot Washington statue featured at a recent IndyCar race be installed in the museum’s Flag Hall for Constitution Day on September 17.
It remains unclear whether Trump has the authority to direct the Smithsonian, which operates outside the executive branch and is overseen by a Board of Regents that includes Vice President JD Vance, Chief Justice John Roberts, and bipartisan lawmakers. The Smithsonian has not publicly responded to the request, and no approval has been announced.
Trump’s proposal consists of several distinct elements, each at different stages of specificity.
First, he wants an 11-foot statue of Washington—the same one displayed at the Freedom 250 IndyCar race—installed in the museum’s Flag Hall and dedicated on Constitution Day, September 17, 2026.
Second, he is asking for a five-year exhibition dedicated to Washington’s “Life, Sacrifice, and Contributions” to begin immediately and continue through February 22, 2032.
Third, and most prominently, he wants a 30-foot “Colossus statue” of Washington erected outside the museum, in the location currently occupied by “Infinity.”
“Replace a sculpture that says nothing about America with the man who, more than anyone else, says everything about America,” Trump wrote. “This is how we should begin to honor George Washington in the lead-up to his 300th birthday in 2032.”
The proposed 30-foot height would make the statue a significant monumental presence on the National Mall. For context, the statue of Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial is 19 feet tall, while the seated figure is 19 feet from head to foot. A 30-foot Washington would be substantially larger than most existing presidential monuments in Washington.
Trump framed the proposal in terms of national pride and historical memory. “He is easily America’s Greatest Hero,” Trump wrote of Washington. “Without him, our Country and our Freedoms wouldn’t exist.”
He also criticized the museum for what he described as insufficient recognition of Washington’s military achievements. Specifically, he complained that Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River on December 25, 1776—a pivotal moment in the Revolutionary War—is not mentioned in the museum.
The 30-foot statue, as described in Trump’s posts, would be installed “as soon as it is ready,” implying a timeline that has not been specified or confirmed.
“Infinity” is a stainless steel abstract sculpture created by American artist José de Rivera (1904–1985). It was dedicated on March 28, 1967, and installed on the south terrace of the National Museum of History and Technology—now the National Museum of American History—overlooking the National Mall.
The sculpture consists of a polished stainless steel ribbon formed into a continuous loop that rotates slowly, completing one revolution every six minutes. It sits atop a tall black granite base. The piece measures approximately 13.5 feet long and 8 feet high, with the base bringing the total height to about 34 feet.
“Infinity” holds a specific place in the history of public art in Washington. It was the first work of modern art commissioned by the U.S. government under the Art and Architecture Program for the National Mall, and it was the largest piece of contemporary sculpture commissioned by the federal government at the time of its installation.
The sculpture was commissioned by the General Services Administration as part of its Art-in-Architecture program, which was designed to commission works from living artists for federal buildings.
Trump’s criticism of “Infinity” has been direct. In his Truth Social posts, he described it as a “strange modernist sculpture” that “tells visitors nothing about America, inspires no one, and honors none of our Great American Heroes.”
That characterization represents a significant departure from how the sculpture has been understood by art historians and Smithsonian curators. The Smithsonian’s own records describe “Infinity” as a landmark work—the first modern abstract sculpture commissioned by the federal government for a public building in Washington.
The debate over “Infinity” reflects a broader tension in American public life about the purpose of monuments and public art. Should public art in the nation’s capital serve primarily as historical education and national inspiration, or should it also encompass abstract, modernist, and non-representational forms that reflect artistic movements rather than historical narratives?
Trump’s proposal would replace an abstract work with a figurative monument to a historical figure—a shift that carries symbolic weight beyond the specific sculptures involved.
The Washington statue proposal is not an isolated request. It fits within a pattern of Trump’s engagement with the Smithsonian Institution over the course of 2026.
In March 2026, Trump issued an executive order targeting funding for Smithsonian programs that advanced what the order described as “divisive narratives” and “improper ideology.” The White House subsequently published a lengthy report criticizing the institution for not doing enough to highlight Washington and other founders.
In July 2026, Trump ordered his administration to install signs in front of the National Museum of American History telling visitors that some exhibits are inaccurate—part of what the administration described as an effort to reshape how American history is presented.
Trump has also proposed creating a “Center for American Heroes” at the museum, replacing a recently ended initiative called the Center for Restorative History, which focused on stories excluded from traditional historical narratives.
Additionally, the Smithsonian’s top leader, Secretary Lonnie Bunch, announced this week that he would be stepping down at the end of the year.
No. As of publication, the Smithsonian has not publicly agreed to any of Trump’s requests. There has been no official statement confirming that the institution will install the 30-foot statue, begin the five-year exhibition, or remove “Infinity.”
The absence of approval is significant because the Smithsonian operates independently of the executive branch. It was created by the federal government in 1846 but functions under a unique governance structure. Its leadership is overseen by a Board of Regents that includes the Vice President, the Chief Justice, members of Congress, and private citizens.
This structure means that Trump cannot simply order the Smithsonian to make changes. Whether his requests carry any binding authority is a matter of legal and institutional interpretation that has not been resolved.
The Smithsonian did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Trump’s posts.
The exhibition Trump has requested would run for approximately five years, from now through February 22, 2032. That date marks the 300th anniversary of Washington’s birth in 1732.
Trump asked the Smithsonian to “immediately design and display a five-year exhibition worthy of the Life, Sacrifice, and Contributions of George Washington.”
Beyond the duration and subject matter, details of the proposed exhibition remain unspecified. It is not known what artifacts would be displayed, who would curate it, how it would be funded, or what narrative framework it would follow. None of these details have been confirmed by the Smithsonian or the White House.
Trump also proposed renaming or creating a “Center for American Heroes” at the museum. He described this as focusing on “citizens who overcame difficulties, propelled the progress of the country, defended the United States, or contributed to bringing it closer to its founding principles.”
The proposal has generated significant public interest for several reasons.
First, it represents a direct challenge to an established work of public art that has stood on the National Mall for nearly six decades. “Infinity” is not a temporary installation but a permanent piece with historical significance as the first modern art commissioned by the federal government for the Mall.
Second, the proposal touches on ongoing debates about how American history should be presented in national institutions. Trump’s criticism of the Smithsonian’s approach—and his call for a “fair, accurate, and coherent” narrative—reflects broader cultural and political conversations about historical interpretation, monuments, and national identity.
Third, the proposal raises questions about institutional independence. The Smithsonian’s unique governance structure means that presidential requests do not automatically translate into action. The outcome of this proposal could set a precedent for how the relationship between the executive branch and the Smithsonian is understood.
Fourth, the specific visual contrast between a 30-foot figurative statue of Washington and a rotating abstract steel loop is striking—a juxtaposition that has captured public imagination and commentary.
George Washington’s status as a national symbol has been central to American civic life since the earliest years of the republic. As commander of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and the first President of the United States, Washington was instrumental in both securing American independence and establishing the institutions of the new government.
His leadership during the crossing of the Delaware River on December 25, 1776, is widely regarded as a turning point in the Revolutionary War. The surprise attack on Hessian forces at Trenton, New Jersey, reinvigorated American morale at a moment when the cause of independence appeared to be faltering.
Monuments to Washington have been a feature of American public life since the late 18th century. The Washington Monument in the nation’s capital, completed in 1884, remains one of the most recognizable structures in the United States. Statues of Washington appear in state capitols, city parks, and public buildings across the country.
In recent years, the meaning and purpose of historical monuments have become subjects of intense public debate, with questions raised about who is honored, how history is interpreted, and what role public art should play in civic life. The current proposal engages directly with those questions, albeit in a specific and unusual form: not a debate over whether to remove a historical figure’s monument, but whether to remove an abstract artwork in favor of a new monument to a historical figure.
Several possible outcomes lie ahead for Trump’s proposal.
The Smithsonian could decline to act on the requests, either explicitly or by simply not responding. Given the institution’s independent governance structure, this is a plausible outcome—though not one that has been signaled by either party.
The Smithsonian could partially agree to some elements—such as installing the 11-foot statue in Flag Hall—while declining others, such as removing “Infinity” or committing to a five-year exhibition.
The Board of Regents could become involved, potentially making decisions about the proposal at a formal meeting. The Regents include Vice President JD Vance, who would presumably be aware of the administration’s position.
Congress could also play a role. While the Smithsonian receives federal funding, its governance structure gives it a degree of insulation from direct political control. Lawmakers could weigh in through oversight hearings, funding decisions, or public statements.
For now, the situation remains unresolved. Trump has made his request, and the Smithsonian has not yet responded. The proposal’s future depends on institutional processes that operate independently of the president’s social media posts.
What statue does Trump want the Smithsonian to build?
Trump is asking the Smithsonian to erect a 30-foot statue of George Washington, which he has described as a “Colossus statue,” outside the National Museum of American History. He also wants an 11-foot Washington statue installed in the museum’s Flag Hall.
How tall would Trump’s proposed George Washington statue be?
Trump has requested a 30-foot statue, which would be significantly larger than most existing presidential monuments in Washington. For comparison, the statue of Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial is 19 feet tall.
What is the Smithsonian’s “Infinity” sculpture?
“Infinity” is a stainless steel abstract sculpture by American artist José de Rivera, dedicated in 1967. It features a polished steel ribbon loop that rotates slowly atop a black granite base. It was the first modern art commissioned by the federal government for the National Mall.
When was the “Infinity” sculpture installed?
“Infinity” was dedicated on March 28, 1967, and has stood outside the National Museum of American History—then the Museum of History and Technology—since that time.
Has the Smithsonian approved Trump’s proposed statue?
No. The Smithsonian has not publicly agreed to any of Trump’s requests. It operates independently of the executive branch and is governed by a Board of Regents that includes the Vice President, the Chief Justice, and bipartisan lawmakers.
Why does Trump want a George Washington statue at the Smithsonian?
Trump has described Washington as “America’s Greatest Hero” and argued that “Infinity” does not convey anything about American history or honor national heroes. He has also criticized the museum for not mentioning Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River.
What is known about the proposed George Washington exhibition?
Trump has asked for a five-year exhibition beginning immediately and running through February 22, 2032—the 300th anniversary of Washington’s birth. Beyond the duration and subject matter, no details about the exhibition have been confirmed by the Smithsonian or the White House.