Story perspectives

Trump Asks Smithsonian to Replace “Infinity” With Washington Statues

By Drooid · Sep 15, 2026, 12:00 AM UTC · How we work

Left

Independence Under Threat

U.S. President Donald Trump asked Smithsonian to replace the “Infinity” sculpture at Museum of American History with a 30-foot and an 11-foot Washington statue.
Critics say the request endangers Smithsonian independence and its mission to showcase diverse, marginalized perspectives.
Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III announced retirement by year-end after eight years leading the museum.
Administration issued a 162-page report and executive order labeling the Smithsonian’s work as divisive, race-centered.

Right

Founders Focus Initiative

President Donald Trump asked the Smithsonian to replace the “Infinity” sculpture at National Museum of American History with a 30-foot and an 11-foot George Washington statue.
The proposal would convert the Center for Restorative History into a Center for American Heroes highlighting Washington and founders.
In March 2025 he signed an order targeting “divisive narratives” at Smithsonian.
White House released a report accusing the museum of neglecting Washington and other founders.

Center

Washington Portrayal Dispute

U.S. President Donald Trump asked Smithsonian on September 11, 2026, to replace the “Infinity” sculpture with a 30-foot George Washington statue and add an 11-foot Washington.
The change, Trump said, fixes the Smithsonian’s “twisted” focus on oppression and ensures an accurate portrayal of George Washington.
Lonnie Bunch III said his 2026 retirement was unrelated to administration pressure.
Atelier Missor created the 11-foot bronze, but its commissioning and U.S. transport details remain undisclosed.

Blindspot

Trump announced a plan to replace the Smithsonian’s Center for Restorative History with a new Center for American Heroes that would spotlight George Washington and other founding figures.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Right-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Left-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

In 1989 Senators Al D’Amato and Jesse Helms led a Senate letter demanding reforms after the NEA funded Andres Serrano’s *Piss Christ* and Robert Mapplethorpe’s exhibition, prompting a 1990 amendment that barred re-granting and spurred the bipartisan Williams-Coleman compromise. Decades later, the 2025 Trump executive orders restricting NEA grants echo that earlier congressional effort to control federally funded art.

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Independence Under Threat

U.S. President Donald Trump asked Smithsonian to replace the “Infinity” sculpture at Museum of American History with a 30-foot and an 11-foot Washington statue.
Critics say the request endangers Smithsonian independence and its mission to showcase diverse, marginalized perspectives.
Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III announced retirement by year-end after eight years leading the museum.
Administration issued a 162-page report and executive order labeling the Smithsonian’s work as divisive, race-centered.

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