Donald Trump is reportedly planning to leave a tangible mark on the monumental landscape of the U.S. capital. According to recent rumors and as reported by Artnews magazine, the president is reportedly considering the construction of a large triumphal arch in Washington, D.C., which is expected to coincide with celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States . The project, dubbed Arc de Trump by the U.S. media, would be part of the broader plan of architectural transformations that the White House chief reportedly envisioned as early as his term in office.
The idea of the arch was unveiled during a gala dinner at the White House, held to thank major donors who contributed $250 million earmarked for the construction of a new presidential ballroom. The event was attended by representatives from some of the most influential U.S. tech companies, including Amazon, Apple, Meta, Google, Microsoft and Palantir, as well as defense giant Lockheed Martin. The plan is for the arch to be placed in front of the Lincoln Memorial, strategically located with respect to the entrance to the city for those arriving from Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, crossing the Arlington Memorial Bridge. From that perspective, the structure would be overlooked by the Arlington House, the historic home of Confederate General Robert E. Lee.
The choice of site is not accidental: the triumphal arch, in Western tradition, has always represented a symbol of power and victory. From ancient Rome onward, these constructions were erected to celebrate military feats or milestone founding moments. Some of them, such as the Arch of Titus or the Arch of Septimius Severus, incorporated materials and trophies taken from defeated enemies, turning architecture into a political manifesto. The most direct reference for the American project is theArc de Triomphe in Paris, begun in 1806 at the behest of Napoleon Bonaparte on his birthday, with the intention of celebrating the glory of the French Empire. The hypothetical Arc de Trump would thus be configured as a gesture of continuity with that monumental tradition, but also as a personal sign of the president, eager to imprint his own mark on the face of the federal capital.
However, details about the total cost of the work, as well as the source of the funds needed for its construction, have not been disclosed. Trump did not clarify whether the initiative would be supported by private investment, foundation contributions or federal funds, as has happened in the past with other projects related to his administration. If it were to materialize, the Arc de Trump would join other interventions that the president has reportedly already envisioned for the capital: the demolition of the East Wing of the White House to make way for a new ballroom and the funding of the so-called National Garden of Heroes, a large park dedicated to iconic figures in American history. These are all projects that, taken together, outline an idea of monumentality inspired by national celebration and a desire to leave a visible trace of one’s passage through U.S. history.
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| Trump considers a triumphal arch in Washington for 250 years of the United States |
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