Trump asks Smithsonian to install ‘Colossus statue’ of George Washington with exhibit | Donald Trump
US politics | The Guardian — 2026-09-12 14:32:00 — www.theguardian.com
Trump Pushes for Monumental Changes at Smithsonian, Attacks Museum’s Historical Focus
Donald Trump has called on the Smithsonian Institution to install a 30-foot “Colossus statue” of George Washington outside the National Museum of American History and to create a special exhibit honoring the nation’s first president. In a social media post late Friday, Trump requested that the exhibit run through February 2032, marking the 300th anniversary of Washington’s birth. “He is easily America’s Greatest Hero. Without him, our Country and our Freedoms wouldn’t exist,” Trump posted on Truth Social while en route to his golf course in Ireland.
Trump’s Demands and Attacks on the Smithsonian
Trump’s proposal would replace the existing Infinity sculpture by New York artist José de Rivera, a federally commissioned piece that has stood since 1967. This latest demand highlights Trump’s ongoing efforts to reshape the nation’s cultural institutions according to his vision. His administration issued a 162-page report in March 2025, accusing the Smithsonian of focusing excessively on themes of oppression, social justice, and division, rather than celebrating shared national achievements.
In July, Trump ordered the Interior Department to display signs in front of the National Museum of American History, accusing the institution of inaccuracy and directing that exhibits be renovated in line with the administration’s report. Those signs have not yet appeared.
False Claims and Distortions
In his Friday post, Trump complained that the Smithsonian does not mention Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River during the Revolutionary War, which he described as “one of the greatest moments and turning points of the Revolution.” He also claimed that Washington’s victory at Trenton is not mentioned, insisting that “stories of the Americans who fought and died for our Independence, deserve far more attention.” However, the museum does include references to these events in its exhibits and educational materials, contradicting Trump’s assertion.
Trump further criticized the museum’s recently ended Center for Restorative History, which highlighted stories previously excluded from the national narrative. He called for its replacement with a “Center for American Heroes,” reflecting his continued push to recast the nation’s historical memory.
Limits to Presidential Authority
Despite Trump’s directives, it is not clear that he has the power to order such changes. The Smithsonian operates independently of the executive branch, overseen by a board of regents that includes figures such as JD Vance, Chief Justice John Roberts, and a bipartisan group of lawmakers and citizens. Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch, who recently announced his departure, emphasized the institution’s independence in the face of political pressure.
Expanding Influence Over Arts and Culture
Trump’s administration has also sought to expand its reach into other cultural institutions. For Constitution Day, he asked the Smithsonian to display another statue of Washington featured at a recent IndyCar race. The Kennedy Center, whose board is largely composed of Trump appointees, recently removed a sculpture by the late Joel Shapiro without public notice or consultation.
Trump’s focus on statues is consistent with his previous proposals, such as the “Garden of Heroes” along the Potomac River and the installation of a Washington statue in the White House Rose Garden. The administration has also targeted art it deems “woke,” with the State Department considering the sale of a Kehinde Wiley painting removed from the U.S. embassy in the Dominican Republic.
Conclusion
Trump’s latest demands and public attacks on the Smithsonian reflect a broader campaign to reshape how American history is presented in the nation’s most prominent museums. His repeated false claims about the museum’s content and disparagement of its focus on social justice are part of a pattern of attempting to control the national narrative. While the Smithsonian’s independence is being challenged, its leadership has vowed to resist political interference and uphold its mission to present a comprehensive and accurate account of American history.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/sep/12/trump-smithsonian-george-washington-statue-exhibit