Trump wants Smithsonian to build George Washington statue, exhibit

President Trump asked the Smithsonian Institution in late Friday social media posts to install a 30-foot-tall statue of George Washington outside of its National Museum of American History (NMAH) and open an exhibit to honor the founding father.

The president requested that the museum complex replace the “Infinity” statue, which has stood outside of the NMAH since 1967, with one depicting the nation’s first president.

“That strange modernist sculpture tells visitors nothing about America, inspires no one, and honors none of our Great American Heroes,” Trump wrote on Truth Social .

“George Washington does,” he continued. “He is easily America’s Greatest Hero. Without him, our Country and our Freedoms wouldn’t exist.”

Trump asked for work on the proposed, five-year exhibit to begin “now,” adding he wants to be open through Feb. 22, 2032 — the 300th anniversary of Washington’s birthday.

The president has repeatedly criticized Smithsonian leadership for promoting a “social justice” agenda and sought to direct changes to museum exhibits.

The Smithsonian operates independent of the White House, but its leadership is overseen by a Board of Regents — includes Vice President Vance, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, bipartisan lawmakers and a group of citizens.

This week, Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch announced he would step down from his role by the end of the year amid disputes with the Trump administration.

In July, Trump directed the installation of signage outside of the NMAH to warn visitors that some of the museum’s exhibits did not match his administration’s perspective on the nation’s past.

The president cited a July White House report that criticized Smithsonian leaders as “extreme” activists and concluded the NMAH “fails in the basic task of illuminating” U.S. history in its content.

The Trump administration also referenced this report when they threatened in September to cut federal agencies’ cooperation with the museum complex.

“Instead of focusing on ideological activism, the leaders of America’s taxpayer-funded, National History Museum should be focused on telling America’s story—fairly, accurately, and coherently—and there is no better person to start with than George Washington,” the president wrote in his Saturday Truth Social post.

The Smithsonian Institution did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment.