WASHINGTON - former President Donald Trump is pursuing plans to construct a triumphal arch near the Washington Monument, inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, and possibly funded by donations exceeding the cost of a recently renovated White House ballroom.The proposal, revealed during a recent dinner with supporters, envisions the arch standing at the Washington end of Memorial Bridge, overlooking the Potomac River.
Trump reportedly showcased three different sized models of the arch at the dinner, stating his preference for the largest design, which would feature a statue of Lady Liberty atop. He indicated that contributions for the ballroom renovation were so significant,funds may remain to finance the arch’s construction,stating,”It’s fully taken care of now and,actually,we’ll have money left over and we’ll use that for something…We’ll use that probably maybe for the arch or something else that will come. But we love to fix up Washington.”
The idea for a grand architectural addition to the nation’s capital reportedly stemmed from Trump’s experience witnessing a military parade down the Champs-Élysées in Paris eight years ago as a guest of French President emmanuel macron. A similar military parade was held in Washington to commemorate the Army’s 250th birthday earlier this year.
The project’s future remains uncertain.The White House has not yet responded to requests for a project timeline, and it is indeed unclear whether the proposal has been submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission, which oversees monument and memorial planning in Washington D.C. Former commission chairman L. Preston Bryant Jr.confirmed that federal law mandates the commission’s review and approval before such a project can proceed. Harrison Design, a local firm, is reportedly involved in the project, but a representative did not respond to requests for comment. The White House has pledged to disclose donor information for the ballroom project, but has yet to do so.
