Trump unveils plans for ‘Independence Arch’ at DC donor dinner
Former President Donald Trump revealed plans to construct a large “Independence Arch” near Washington,D.C., in celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence next year.He presented different size models of the arch during a donor dinner held in the White House’s East Room, where he also discussed ongoing renovations, including a new White House ballroom project estimated to cost up to $250 million. The proposed arch is designed to stand across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial, featuring classical elements such as carved wreaths, large eagles, and a golden-winged angel with a scepter, drawing inspiration from the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and the Washington Square Park arch in New York. Trump took pride in his involvement in the design process, emphasizing his background as a prominent real estate developer.The construction timeline is yet to be finalized, and leftover funds from the ballroom project may help finance the arch.Architect nicolas Leo Charbonneau is leading the design efforts for the monument, which would be situated near Arlington National Cemetery.
Trump unveils plans for ‘Independence Arch’ at dinner thanking donors of White House ballroom
President Donald Trump unveiled another project on Wednesday for revamping the country’s capital, announcing plans to build a large triumphal arch to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence next year.
Trump showed attendees at a White House donor event various models of the arch, which would be built across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
“This would be small, medium, and large. … I happen to think the large by far looks the best,” the president joked as he held up different models of the structure for the crowd. “It’s going to be really beautiful. I think it’s going to be fantastic.”
Trump, who made a decadeslong career as one of the country’s most prestigious developers, including with acclaimed projects on some of New York City’s most valuable real estate, has taken great pride in bringing his builder’s eye to Washington.
As president, he has taken on a number of projects, including redoing the iconic Rose Garden and undertaking efforts to build a new ballroom in the White House.
The fundraiser on Wednesday evening revolved around the ballroom, a privately funded effort projected to cost up to $250 million. More than three dozen organizations and people attended the dinner in the East Room with Trump, including Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Meta, Google, and Amazon.
“Chief executives throughout history have contributed to making the White House special, and nothing of this magnitude has been done,” Trump told them.
He thanked attendees for their contributions and told them leftover funds from the ballroom project would likely be used to construct the Independence Arch.
That development is set to soar above the Lincoln Memorial. Architectural renderings indicate the stone monument would feature carved wreaths, two huge eagles facing east, and a golden-winged angel brandishing a scepter. It strongly mimics the Washington Square Park arch in Manhattan and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
A top White House official said the arch was Trump’s idea, according to CNN.
“He came up with the design and has been part of the process every step of the way,” the official said, adding that the design is still in progress and timing for construction of the arch is to be determined.
Architect Nicolas Leo Charbonneau, a partner at Harrison Design, is leading the project.
Charbonneau shared a watercolor sketch of the arc to X last month.
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“America needs a triumphal arch,” he said, adding the monument would be placed in the traffic circle in front of Arlington National Cemetery.
Trump shared the rendering on Truth Social last week.
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