Staff Reports
President Donald Trump has made a clear demand: the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History should stop hiding from the Founding Fathers and start celebrating them. In a Truth Social post, he asked for a five‑year George Washington exhibition, an 11‑foot statue in Flag Hall, and a 30‑foot “Washington Colossus” to replace the abstract “Infinity” sculpture at the museum entrance. It’s a big ask — and exactly the kind of culture push the museum needs.
Trump’s ask: a George Washington statue and a five‑year exhibition
On his Truth Social account, President Trump called George Washington “easily America’s Greatest Hero” and urged the Smithsonian to honor him with a long exhibition and striking new monuments. The plan he spelled out included an 11‑foot statue inside Flag Hall, a five‑year exhibition running through Washington’s 300th birthday, and a 30‑foot outdoor Colossus to take the place of José de Rivera’s 1967 stainless‑steel work called “Infinity.” The post also slammed the museum for dwelling on America’s flaws instead of celebrating its achievements.
Why this matters for the Smithsonian and museum visitors
This is not just about a statue. It’s about how the National Museum of American History frames our story for millions of visitors. The fight between the White House and the Smithsonian has been building for months — congressional hearings, a White House report criticizing “bias,” and public back‑and‑forth about exhibits and tone. If the museum keeps treating American greatness like a dirty secret, it will keep losing the respect of everyday citizens who want to be proud, not lectured.
Who actually decides — and the hurdles to changing public art
The Smithsonian is governed by the Board of Regents and led by Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III and Director Anthea M. Hartig. Replacing an outdoor sculpture or mounting a major exhibition isn’t a unilateral move by the president; it requires institutional processes, Regents’ approval, and likely debate. Still, the White House has leverage — budgets, oversight, and public pressure have teeth. If Republican leaders want a museum that celebrates founders instead of minimizing them, this is the lever to push.
Call to action: make history proud again
President Trump’s proposal is bold and simple: put George Washington where he belongs — front and center. The Smithsonian can keep peddling despair and abstract art, or it can answer a question most Americans are asking: why not honor the men and moments that made this country possible? If the museum wants to survive public trust, it should stop hiding behind modernist excuses and give visitors a real story to walk into. Watch for a Regents vote, a statement from Secretary Bunch or Director Hartig, and whether the Board has the backbone to put Washington back on display where he belongs.
