{
  "id": 6860292,
  "title": "Trump asks Smithsonian to install George Washington statues and exhibit",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/trump-asks-smithsonian-to-install-george-washington-statues-and",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-12T04:15:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/world/2026/09/11/trump-asks-smithsonian-to-install-george-washington-statues-and-exhibit"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "President Donald Trump has urged the Smithsonian to install a large statue of George Washington outside the National Museum of American History and a special exhibit celebrating the first U.S. president. In a series of late-night posts on social media, Trump called for the 11-foot statue to be placed in the museum's Flag Hall and a 30-foot version to replace the existing \"Infinity\" sculpture. Trump also requested that the museum open a \"Center for American Heroes\" as a replacement for the recently discontinued \"Center for Restorative History.\" The museum, which is overseen by a Board of Regents, is not under the direct control of the executive branch, and it remains unclear if Trump has the authority to mandate these changes. Trump appeared to be frustrated that the museum does not prominently feature Washington's famous crossing of the Delaware River during the Revolutionary War. The White House has been critical of the Smithsonian for not adequately highlighting the contributions of George Washington and other founding figures.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "President Trump requests Smithsonian install 11-foot George Washington statue in Flag Hall.",
    "Trump also demands 30-foot statue to replace existing Infinity sculpture.",
    "Museum's authority to implement changes remains unclear."
  ],
  "editors_take": "This push by Trump signals a shift in the priorities of the National Museum of American History, aligning them more closely with the White House's views on American historical figures.",
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/6860292.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "Onboard the USS George Washington as it operates in the Middle East",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/onboard-the-uss-george-washington-as-it-operates-in-the-middle-east",
        "published": "2026-09-11T22:33:45.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "PBS NewsHour",
        "title": "Trump asks Smithsonian to install George Washington statues and exhibit",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/trump-asks-smithsonian-to-install-george-washington-statues-and-6948525",
        "published": "2026-09-12T15:59:51.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}