President Donald Trump has issued a resounding call to the Smithsonian Institution, urging them to reclaim America's historical narrative by replacing the "strange modernist" sculpture outside the National Museum of American History with a commanding 30-foot statue of George Washington. This isn't just a suggestion; it's a powerful declaration for prioritizing America's true heroes over abstract, uninspired art.
In a Sept. 11 Truth Social post, President Trump didn't mince words, describing Jose de Rivera's "Infinity" sculpture as an artistic misstep that "tells visitors nothing about America" and "honors none of our Great American Heroes." Dedicated in 1967 under the Lyndon Johnson administration, this piece, according to President Trump, stands as a symbol of historical neglect at the heart of our nation's capital.
Beyond the colossal statue, President Trump proposed a comprehensive five-year exhibition dedicated to the life and unparalleled legacy of the nation's first president. "He is easily America’s Greatest Hero. Without him, our Country and our Freedoms wouldn’t exist," President Trump emphasized, highlighting a fundamental truth often overlooked by institutions seemingly more interested in deconstruction than celebration.
The former president sharply criticized the museum for its failure to give Washington and other U.S. founding fathers "the celebration they deserve," particularly as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary. It’s a stark contrast to a Smithsonian that, as President Trump pointed out, has seemingly diverted its focus.
"Washington’s Heroic Crossing of the Delaware on December 25, 1776—One of the greatest moments and turning points of the Revolution—is not even mentioned in the Museum," President Trump noted, laying bare the institution's glaring omissions. "His Victory at Trenton, and the stories of the Americans who fought and died for our Independence, deserve far more attention."
President Trump further accused the institution of directing attention to "those who have been oppressed" rather than those "who triumphed over great oppression." He proposed replacing the "Center for Restorative History" with a "center for American Heroes"—a commonsense shift that would restore patriotism to its rightful place.
This grand exhibition, President Trump suggested, should run through Feb. 22, 2032, commemorating the 300th anniversary of Washington’s birth. In a separate Truth Social post, he also advocated for an 11-foot statue of Washington, currently featured at the Freedom 250 Grand Prix Race in the museum’s Flag Hall, to be dedicated on Constitution Day, Sept. 17.
"Replace a sculpture that says nothing about America with the man who, more than anyone else, says everything about America," President Trump wrote, encapsulating the urgent need to honor our foundational figures. "This is how we should begin to honor George Washington in the lead-up to his 300th birthday in 2032."
The Smithsonian Institution did not provide a comment to The Epoch Times by the time of publication, a silence that often speaks volumes when questioned about their commitment to American heritage.
This isn't the first time the Smithsonian's priorities have come under scrutiny. In July, a White House Domestic Policy Council report accused the institution’s leaders of adopting an "ideological framework" and failing to properly highlight America’s founders and founding in its exhibits. While a Smithsonian spokesperson previously maintained that the institution "has served the American public with nonpartisan and independent scholarship" for more than 180 years, the evidence of an ideological drift remains palpable.
Adding another layer to this unfolding drama, Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch announced his retirement from his position by the end of the year on Sept. 8. Whether this signals a shift in direction or merely a changing of the guard, the demand from President Trump is clear: America's history, its heroes, and its foundational principles must be celebrated, not obscured by "woke" agendas. It’s time for the Smithsonian to truly honor the nation it represents, putting America First by celebrating the giants upon whose shoulders this nation stands.
