President Donald Trump has issued a bold directive to the Smithsonian Institution, demanding the immediate replacement of the modernist sculpture “Infinity” outside the National Museum of American History with a colossal, 30-foot statue of George Washington. Trump asserted that the current sculpture, installed in 1967, “says nothing about America,” while Washington, as the nation’s first president, “more than anyone else, says everything about America.” He further called for the museum to host a five-year exhibition dedicated to Washington, culminating in the 300th anniversary of his birth in 2032, and to install an 11-foot statue of the Founding Father in the museum’s Flag Hall by Constitution Day. This demand comes amidst Trump’s broader criticism of how the Smithsonian portrays American history, particularly concerning the attention given to Washington and other key figures, and his past efforts to steer the institution away from what he termed “divisive narratives” and “improper ideology.” The Smithsonian’s ability to comply with such a directive remains uncertain, as the institution operates outside the direct executive branch and is governed by a Board of Regents.
Adapted from: Latest Political News on Fox News
