Trump gives Smithsonian days to replace 'strange modernist sculpture' with Founding Father
Trump Pushes Smithsonian to Replace Iconic “Infinity” Sculpture With a New George Washington Monument
President Donald J. Trump has issued a public call for the Smithsonian Institution to replace its long‑standing modernist sculpture “Infinity” outside the National Museum of American History with a towering monument to the first U.S. president. The former president’s social‑media posts, posted late Friday, detail a series of demands that include a five‑year exhibition devoted to George Washington, an 11‑foot statue for the museum’s Flag Hall, and a 30‑foot “Washington Colossus” to stand where “Infinity” has stood since 1967.
The “Infinity” sculpture and its history
The 11‑foot bronze artwork, created by New York artist José de Rivera, was commissioned by the federal government and installed outside the National Museum of American History in 1967. The piece has been a fixture on the museum’s grounds for more than five decades, representing an abstract, modernist vision of the nation’s future.
Trump’s latest comments criticize the sculpture for “saying nothing about America” and for not capturing the country’s founding spirit. “Washington, he said, ‘more than anyone else, says everything about America,’” he wrote.
Trump’s vision for a new monument
The former president has outlined a three‑pronged plan:
Five‑year exhibition – Trump demands an exhibition that would run from the present to February 22, 2032, the 300th anniversary of Washington’s birth. “Immediately design and display a five‑year exhibition worthy of the Life, Sacrifice, and Contributions of George Washington,” he wrote.
11‑foot statue for Flag Hall – The museum’s Flag Hall is to receive a new statue of Washington by Constitution Day, September 17. The statue is intended to accompany a broader “Center for American Heroes” that Trump wants to replace the Smithsonian’s recently concluded Center for Restorative History.
30‑foot Washington Colossus – Trump insists that, once the exhibition is ready, a 30‑foot “Washington Colossus” should replace “Infinity” on the museum’s exterior. He described the idea in a tweet: “Then, as soon as it is ready, install a 30‑foot Washington Colossus where ‘Infinity’ stands today.”
The proposed monument would be a colossal tribute to the Founding Father, echoing Trump’s long‑standing claim that Washington is “easily America’s Greatest Hero” and that the nation would not exist without him.
Context: Trump’s broader criticisms of the Smithsonian
Trump’s latest post follows a pattern of public criticism aimed at the Smithsonian’s portrayal of American history. He has repeatedly argued that the institution underplays the contributions of Washington and other Founding Fathers. In his posts, he highlighted Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas night, 1776, and the victory at Trenton as moments that deserve greater museum attention.
In March 2025, Trump signed an executive order aimed at eliminating what his administration labeled “divisive narratives” and “improper ideology” at the Smithsonian. The White House released a report that year accusing the museum of a lack of focus on Washington and the Founding Fathers. In July, Trump directed his administration to place signs outside the National Museum of American History noting that some exhibits were “inaccurate.”
The Smithsonian’s Board of Regents—comprising Vice President JD Vance, Chief Justice John Roberts, lawmakers from both parties and citizen members—has repeatedly affirmed the institution’s commitment to nonpartisanship and unbiased scholarship. The board also acknowledged that the Smithsonian “can and must do more” and directed its leadership to ensure content remains neutral.
In a separate development, Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch announced last week that he would step down at the end of the year.
The Smithsonian’s response
Fox News Digital reached out to the Smithsonian for comment, but the institution did not immediately reply. It is unclear whether Trump has any legal authority to compel the Smithsonian to make the proposed changes, given that the museum operates outside the executive branch and is overseen by its independent Board of Regents.
The Smithsonian’s current “Center for Restorative History,” which spotlighted stories historically excluded from the national narrative, was recently concluded. Trump’s call for a “Center for American Heroes” seeks to shift the museum’s focus toward “the stories of Americans who faced great challenges, overcame them, built great things, defended our Country, made America better, and helped our Nation more fully live up to our Founding Ideals,” according to his posts.
Reactions and implications
The proposal has sparked debate among historians, museum officials, and the public. While some applaud Trump’s emphasis on Washington’s legacy, others worry that a monumental shift toward a single figure could narrow the broader narrative that the Smithsonian has long sought to present. The 30‑foot statue, if constructed, would not only alter the museum’s physical landscape but also signal a potential pivot in how the nation’s foundational stories are displayed.
Whether the Smithsonian will heed Trump’s demands remains to be seen. The institution’s independence and its board’s stated commitment to neutrality may act as a counterbalance to any executive pressure. In the meantime, the debate over how best to honor America’s founders continues to occupy the nation's cultural conversation.