President Donald Trump used social‑media posts on Friday, September 17, 2026, to ask the Smithsonian Institution to place a large statue of George Washington outside the National Museum of American History. He also requested the museum open a dedicated exhibit honoring Washington that would remain on view from the time of the request through February 22, 2032.
The proposed statue would be situated on the grounds of the museum in Washington, D.C., and described as "large" in the president's appeal. The accompanying exhibit is intended to run for more than five years, concluding on the anniversary of Washington's death in 2032.
Trump framed the initiative as a tribute to the nation’s first president on the 300th anniversary of Washington’s birth. The 300‑year milestone provides the historical context for the request, linking the commemoration to a significant national anniversary.
The National Museum of American History, part of the Smithsonian complex, would be the focal point for both the statue and the exhibit. The museum’s existing role in preserving and presenting American heritage makes it a logical venue for the proposed display, according to the details of the president's social‑media message.
No timeline for construction or exhibit planning was provided in the announcement. The request marks a direct appeal from the former president to a federal cultural institution, seeking to add a permanent outdoor monument and a long‑term interior presentation dedicated to Washington’s legacy.