Full Breakdown
Trump Demands Washington Colossus Replace “Infinity” at Smithsonian
By Drooid · · How we work
Trump’s Request to Replace “Infinity” with a Washington Colossus
President Donald Trump used Truth Social on September 11 to call for three changes at the National Museum of American History: (1) remove José de Rivera’s 1967 abstract sculpture Infinity and replace it with a 30-foot “Colossus” statue of George Washington; (2) install an existing 11-foot bronze Washington statue in Flag Hall by Constitution Day, September 17, 2026; and launch a five-year exhibition on Washington running through February 22, 2032. “That strange modernist sculpture tells visitors nothing about America,” Trump wrote.
Background & Context
Infinity—a thin stainless-steel ribbon on a granite pedestal—was commissioned by the federal government and installed at the museum’s south entrance in 1967, the first abstract work for a public building in D.C. Since taking office, Trump has pursued a broader effort to reshape the Smithsonian’s narrative. In March 2025 he signed an executive order directing Vice President JD Vance to eliminate “improper, divisive, or anti-American” ideology from the institution’s programs. A White House report later criticized the Smithsonian for emphasizing oppression over the nation’s founders.
Data & Statistics
- Proposed Washington Colossus: 30 feet tall, intended for the current Infinity site.
- Existing Washington statue: 11 feet tall, displayed at the Freedom 250 Grand Prix on August 22-23 before moving to Flag Hall.
- Exhibition timeline: Begins immediately and continues through February 22, 2032.
- Installation deadline for the 11-foot statue: Constitution Day, September 17, 2026.
Official Statements & Responses
“He is easily America’s Greatest Hero,” Trump added, demanding an “immediate” design and display of the exhibition. The Smithsonian, governed by a 15-member Board of Regents that includes Vice President Vance and Chief Justice John Roberts, operates independently of the executive branch. The Smithsonian has not issued a formal response to the latest demand.
Criticism & Opposition
Museum officials and scholars warn that Trump’s demands exceed presidential authority over an independent cultural agency. Historians and civil-rights groups describe the actions as an attempt to rewrite public history.
Verbatim Quotes
- “That strange modernist sculpture tells visitors nothing about America,” — Donald Trump
- “He is easily America’s Greatest Hero,” — Donald Trump
- “For the last two years, everything has implied getting rid of me,” — Lonnie Bunch III
What’s Next
The Smithsonian must decide whether to meet the September 17, 2026 deadline for the 11-foot statue and the longer-term plan for the 30-foot colossus. The five-year Washington exhibition is slated to conclude on February 22, 2032, but no timeline for the larger statue’s fabrication has been announced. The board of regents is expected to review the request in upcoming meetings as the institution balances congressional oversight with executive pressure.
