Key facts
- Donald Trump criticized the Smithsonian's focus on oppression.
- Trump called for a five-year exhibition on George Washington.
- The exhibition would run through February 22, 2032, marking Washington's 300th birthday.
- Trump requested a 30-foot statue of Washington be erected outside the National Museum of American History.
- He also asked for an 11-foot statue of Washington to be installed in the museum's Flag Hall.
President Donald Trump on Friday criticized the Smithsonian Institution for what he described as an overwhelming focus on oppression, calling instead for a five-year exhibition dedicated to George Washington. Trump, who has repeatedly attacked the institution, suggested the exhibition at the National Museum of American History should begin immediately and run through February 22, 2032, marking the 300th anniversary of Washington's birth.
In addition to the exhibition, Trump called for the erection of a 30-foot "Colossus statue" of Washington outside the museum. He also requested that an 11-foot statue of Washington, previously featured at the Freedom 250 Grand Prix race, be installed in the museum's Flag Hall.
This is the latest in a series of critiques from Trump regarding the Smithsonian. His administration previously threatened to cut federal funding and support for the institution, expressing displeasure with its focus on the history of slavery. Last year, his administration initiated a review of some museums, and the White House accused the National Museum of American History of "thinly veiled anti-Americanism." Historians and civil rights advocates have denounced Trump's actions, warning they could reverse social progress and undermine the acknowledgement of critical U.S. history.