Donald J. Trump unveils “Spirit of ’76” exhibition at Freedom Plaza ahead of nation’s 250th birthday
The new Washington, D.C., exhibition features an equestrian statue of Caesar Rodney, 12 Revolutionary War soldier statues and reliefs honoring prison ship martyrs.
The new Washington, D.C., exhibition features an equestrian statue of Caesar Rodney, 12 Revolutionary War soldier statues and reliefs honoring prison ship martyrs.
WHITE HOUSE — Donald J. Trump announced the opening of the Spirit of ’76 exhibition at Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C., honoring heroes and martyrs of the American Revolution on a Truth Social post on July 2, 2026, at 8:54 PM EST.
Here is the full post (see truthsocial): “I am thrilled to announce the opening of SPIRIT OF “76 at FREEDOM PLAZA, a new Exhibition in Washington, D.C., honoring the Heroes and Martyrs of the American Revolution. This Exhibition includes a series of statues, including an equestrian statue of Founding Father Caesar Rodney, 12 Soldiers of the Revolution, and a set of reliefs honoring the Prison Ship Martyrs — The nearly 12,000 Americans who lost their lives aboard British ships in conditions of unimaginable deprivation, squalor, and disease. More Americans died on these prison ships than in all of the War’s battles combined — Many of whom willingly endured suffering and death rather than renounce the Patriot cause. The Exhibition is anchored by a central bronze statue, ‘Spirit of Liberty,” which is crowned in a wreath of victory, and powerfully wielding the Declaration of Independence and a sword pointed to the sky. Everyone should see this new Exhibition! As we prepare to celebrate the 250th Birthday of our beloved Country, these statues and monuments now stand prominently in the heart of our Nation’s Capital as a celebration of the 250-year Triumph of the American Spirit, which is now STRONGER, GREATER, and MORE GLORIOUS than ever before!”
The exhibition sits at the heart of the national capital and features several bronze installations centered on the Revolutionary War era. An equestrian statue of Caesar Rodney, the Delaware delegate famous for his urgent horseback ride to Philadelphia in July 1776 to cast a decisive vote for independence, serves as one of the key pieces. Twelve statues depicting soldiers of the Revolution and a set of reliefs dedicated to the prison ship martyrs round out the display.
Trump highlighted the prison ship martyrs in his announcement, noting that nearly 12,000 Americans perished aboard British ships during the war. He wrote that more Americans died on those vessels than in all of the conflict’s battles combined, and that many captives chose death over renouncing the Patriot cause.
The "Spirit of Liberty" statue stands at Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C., on 07/02/2026. The central bronze figure anchors the new "Spirit of '76" exhibition, honoring American Revolution heroes ahead of the nation's 250th birthday.
© copyright Zenger.News
A central bronze statue titled “Spirit of Liberty” anchors the exhibition. The figure wears a wreath of victory and holds aloft the Declaration of Independence and a sword pointed skyward. Images shared with the post show the equestrian statue from a low angle against a dramatic sky and a close-up of the sword-wielding hand of the Spirit of Liberty statue.
The exhibition opens as the United States prepares to mark its 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026. Trump framed the display as a celebration of what he called the triumph of the American spirit over two and a half centuries (see truthsocial).
In the last 30 days, 28 of 521 Trump posts on Truth Social addressed the topic of culture, placing this announcement within a broader pattern of posts on national heritage and American history.
Source: Zenger real-time database of all Truth Social posts.
Note: Chart generated on July 2, 2026 at 9:05 PM EST
Source: Zenger analysis
Note: Table generated by NewsFindr on July 2, 2026 at 9:05 PM EST