President Donald Trump called on the Smithsonian Institution to honor George Washington at its National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., rather than engage in "ideological activism," in new Truth Social posts.
"Immediately design and display a five-year exhibition worthy of the Life, Sacrifice, and Contributions of George Washington," Trump said in a new Truth Social post. He later added, "This is how we should begin to honor George Washington in the lead-up to his 300th birthday in 2032."
Trump asked for "a five-year exhibition at the National Museum of American History, beginning now, and continuing through February 22, 2032, the 300th anniversary of Washington’s birth," in a separate post shortly after. He also said that he wants
the organization "to erect a 30-foot 'Colossus statue' of the Father of Our Country outside the Museum."
"Replace a sculpture that says nothing about America with the man who, more than anyone else, says everything about America," Trump said, explaining that the tall Washington statue should replace the current abstract stainless steel "Infinity" statue that currently stands outside the American History museum.
Just this week, on Sept. 8, Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III announced his resignation from his post at the organization, after months of the Trump administration attacking the national museums.
The president also said that an 11-foot statue of Washington which stood at the Freedom 250 Grand Prix race should be added to the museum's Flag Hall, a central hub of the museum where events are hosted. Trump said he wants it to be dedicated this week, on Sept. 17, which marks Constitution Day, the anniversary of the signing of the document.
"That strange modernist sculpture tells visitors nothing about America, inspires no one, and honors none of our Great American Heroes," Trump said. "George Washington does."
Trump said that the Smithsonians have "failed to give George Washington and our other Founding Fathers the celebration they deserve." He alleged that the organization has "not even mentioned" Washington's crossing of the Delaware River – which is famously depicted in a painting at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, which is not a Smithsonian museum. According to the organization's site, an event in February specifically discussed art of Washington crossing the Delaware, and there is a rendition of the famous painting that is not on display.
He slammed the Smithsonian for a “Center for Restorative History,” “Decolonization Plan,” and an alleged description of Christopher Columbus' discovery of the Americas as the "'Great Unsettling' of the Continent."
"That tells you all you need to know about how twisted the thinking is today at the Smithsonian," Trump said. "Instead of a Center for Restorative History, America’s National History Museum should have a Center for American Heroes."
Trump ended his post by doubling down on his call for the nation's first president to be honored.
"Instead of focusing on ideological activism, the leaders of America’s taxpayer-funded, National History Museum should be focused on telling America’s story – fairly, accurately, and coherently – and there is no better person to start with than George Washington," Trump said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump wants Smithsonian to erect new George Washington statue, exhibit
