Trump Tells Smithsonian Institution To Install George Washington Statues And Exhibit
Donald Trump has publicly urged the Smithsonian Institution to place a colossal George Washington statue outside the National Museum of American History and to launch a dedicated exhibit celebrating the first president.
He specifically wants the 11‑foot Washington figure that appeared at a recent IndyCar event to be displayed in the museum’s Flag Hall for Constitution Day, and proposes swapping the existing “Infinity” sculpture for a 30‑foot Washington monument.
Trump frames the move as correcting a perceived omission of Washington’s heroism, suggesting the museum replace its “Center for Restorative History” with a “Center for American Heroes.” He also notes plans for signage labeling certain exhibits as inaccurate.
The Smithsonian operates independently of the executive branch, overseen by a board that includes high‑level officials, raising questions about the feasibility of Trump’s demands. Meanwhile, the museum’s director, Lonnie Bunch, announced his departure at year’s end.