Trump calls for new ‘colossus statue’ of George Washington in 2032 plan

President Donald Trump has called for a 30-foot “Washington Colossus” to replace a modernist sculpture outside the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, part of a series of proposed changes honoring the first president ahead of the 300th anniversary of his birth.

In two Truth Social posts late Friday, Trump asked the Smithsonian to immediately begin an exhibition about George Washington that would continue through February 22, 2032. He also called for an existing 11-foot bronze statue of Washington to be installed in the museum’s Flag Hall on Constitution Day, Sept. 17, before the larger sculpture is completed.

“Then, as soon as it is ready, install a 30-foot Washington Colossus where ‘Infinity’ stands today,” Trump wrote in a second post.

The proposal is the latest front in Trump’s efforts to reshape how the Smithsonian presents American history. In March 2025, he signed an executive order directing Vice President JD Vance to work to remove what the administration called “improper ideology” from the institution and its museums. The White House later issued a report criticizing Smithsonian exhibitions for allegedly diminishing the country’s founders and emphasizing race, slavery and colonialism.

However, it is unclear whether Trump can compel the Smithsonian to make the requested changes. The institution operates outside the executive branch and is overseen by a Board of Regents that includes Vance, Chief Justice John Roberts, members of Congress and citizen regents.

Trump described “Infinity,” the stainless steel abstract sculpture outside the museum, as “strange” and said it “tells visitors nothing about America.” Created by artist José de Rivera, the rotating sculpture was commissioned by the federal government and installed in 1967. Smithsonian curator David Shayt described it as the first modern abstract sculpture commissioned by the U.S. government for a public building in Washington.

The smaller Washington statue Trump wants displayed inside the museum appeared at the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, an IndyCar street race held around the National Mall on August 22 and 23 as part of the United States’ 250th-anniversary celebrations. The French sculpture collective Atelier Missor said it built the bronze work and posted an image showing six men standing beside it in a workshop.

Trump said Washington was “easily America’s Greatest Hero,” adding: “Without him, our Country and our Freedoms wouldn’t exist.” He also accused the museum of failing to give Washington and other Founding Fathers sufficient attention during the country’s semiquincentennial celebrations.

This is a developing story – more to follow.