WASHINGTON — Plans for a massive new monument in the nation’s capital are drawing attention after Donald Trump unveiled a proposal for a 250-foot “Arc de Trump,” a gold-accented triumphal arch that could significantly alter the skyline of Washington, D.C..
According to a report by BBC, the proposed structure would stand taller than both the U.S. Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial, featuring ornate elements such as a golden torch, crown, and statues.
Trump described the project in bold terms, writing it would be “the GREATEST and MOST BEAUTIFUL Triumphal Arch, anywhere in the World.”
If approved, the arch would serve as a grand entrance into the capital, positioned along the route from Arlington National Cemetery across the Memorial Bridge toward the Lincoln Memorial.
“Every time somebody rides over that beautiful bridge to the Lincoln Memorial, they literally say something is supposed be here,” Trump said when first announcing the concept.
The proposal has been formally submitted to the Commission of Fine Arts, which is expected to review the design in the coming weeks. The commission plays a key role in approving major architectural projects in the capital.
Preliminary funding details indicate that the National Endowment for the Humanities would allocate $2 million in special funds, along with an additional $13 million in matching funds, toward the project.
Trump has also suggested that unused funds from his separate White House ballroom project could contribute to financing the monument.
Renderings show the arch adorned with inscriptions reading “One Nation Under God,” flanked by gold eagles and guarded by statues of four lions. Officials say the structure is intended to commemorate American history and sacrifice.
The White House emphasized the symbolic nature of the project. The arch will serve “as a visual reminder of the noble sacrifices borne by so many American heroes throughout our 250-year history so we can enjoy our freedoms today,” spokesman Davis Ingle said in a statement.
The proposed monument is part of a broader effort by the administration to reshape the capital’s built environment. Alongside the arch, plans include a new White House ballroom, major renovations to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and development of a “National Garden of American Heroes.”
However, these initiatives have drawn criticism and legal scrutiny, particularly from historic preservation groups concerned about federal authority and the impact on protected landmarks.
Similar to the ballroom project, the arch proposal is expected to face regulatory hurdles and potential lawsuits before construction could begin.
As the review process moves forward, the fate of the “Arc de Trump” will likely depend on approvals from federal design bodies, funding allocations, and the outcome of anticipated legal challenges.
Originally reported by Sareen Habeshian in BBC.
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