Trump Orders Smithsonian to Replace ‘Infinity’ With Giant Washington Statue

Overview

• President Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday that he wants a 30-foot “Colossus” of George Washington to replace José de Rivera’s Infinity sculpture and an 11-foot bronze installed in the museum’s Flag Hall by Constitution Day.
• He also called for a five-year exhibition devoted to Washington to run through February 2032, tying the push to the Founding Father’s 300th birthday.
• The Smithsonian has not agreed to the requests and the institution’s independent status means the demands would likely require action by the Board of Regents or face legal and administrative challenge.
• The public orders follow a longer campaign that began with a March 2025 executive order and a federal review of Smithsonian exhibitions that led to altered displays, congressional hearings, and leadership resignations.
• The episode has deepened governance strain at the museums, could reshape what visitors see and how staff make curatorial decisions, and is likely to drive public debate and oversight from Congress.