Trump unveils “Spirit of ’76” statue exhibition at Freedom Plaza in Washington
The display honors American Revolution heroes and the nearly 12,000 Prison Ship Martyrs ahead of the country's 250th birthday, anchored by a bronze “Spirit of Liberty” statue.
The display honors American Revolution heroes and the nearly 12,000 Prison Ship Martyrs ahead of the country's 250th birthday, anchored by a bronze “Spirit of Liberty” statue.
WHITE HOUSE — Donald J. Trump has announced the opening of a new “Spirit of ’76” exhibition at Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C., 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 features a series of statues honoring figures from the American Revolution. Trump said it includes an equestrian statue of Founding Father Caesar Rodney, statues of 12 Soldiers of the Revolution, and a set of reliefs honoring the Prison Ship Martyrs. He described the nearly 12,000 Americans who died aboard British prison ships in conditions of deprivation, squalor and disease, saying more Americans died on those ships than in all the war’s battles combined.
A central bronze statue named “Spirit of Liberty” anchors the display. Trump said the figure is crowned in a wreath of victory and wields the Declaration of Independence and a sword pointed to the sky.
President Donald J. Trump unveils the "Spirit of '76" exhibition at Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C.
© copyright Zenger.News
The unveiling comes as the country prepares to mark its 250th birthday. Trump framed the statues and monuments as a celebration of what he called the 250-year triumph of the American spirit.
In the last 30 days, 28 of 522 Trump posts were on the topic of “Culture.”
Source: Zenger real-time database of all Truth Social posts.
Note: Chart generated on July 2, 2026 at 9:10 PM EST
Source: Zenger analysis
Note: Table generated by NewsFindr on July 2, 2026 at 9:10 PM EST