Building a ballroom in the White House earned President Donald Trump immense backlash. But now, Trump’s moving on to yet another facelifting project in the US capital by copying an iconic French landmark.
Trump announced the ‘Triumphal Arch’ project on his social media accounts. It hasn’t been approved yet, but the White House has already released designs. Trump posted on social media, “I am pleased to announce that TODAY my Administration officially filed the presentation and plans to the highly respected Commission of Fine Arts for what will be the GREATEST and MOST BEAUTIFUL Triumphal Arch, anywhere in the World. This will be a wonderful addition to the Washington D.C. area for all Americans to enjoy for many decades to come!”
Social media was rife with criticism for the structure. One social media user pointed out that the United States can’t afford healthcare but can do superficial projects just like this one. According to the National Endowment for the Humanities, $2 million in special funds and $13 million in matching grants will be spent to fund the project. Regardless, that $15 million is still composed of taxpayer money.
Another poster on X rightfully asked, “Why are we building a Triumphal Arch. What did we triumph over?”
To that, another commenter joked, “We beat Medicare.” Needless to say, it’s an odd structure commission in the middle of a war with Iran. The United States hasn’t won, despite Trump’s repeated declarations of victory. But adding insult to injury, negotiations are currently not favorable to the United States.
What will the Arc of Triumph symbolize?
The new landmark will be erected in Washington, DC, with a height of 250 ft. The choice of 250 ft isn’t coincidental either, as it’s meant to commemorate the 250 years of the United States. Two lions guard the sides of the structure. On the top of the arch are two angels and a winged Statue of Liberty dipped in gold.
According to White House spokesman Davis Ingle, 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.”
There’s nothing wrong with commemorating heroes. In fact, the United States has a day dedicated to fallen soldiers. But to put up an arc that’s largely reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in France is unoriginal. It’s arguably an aggrandized waste of taxpayer money. The French landmark was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte and was meant to commemorate the Grande Armée for its military exploits.
Couldn’t a memorial dedicated to fallen American soldiers have more originality to it? Even the name ‘Arch of Triumph’ is just the English name of the French landmark. For something worth $15 million, other artists could be commissioned for monuments or statues that can do fallen veterans justice.
But putting aside France, or the structure’s Liberace aesthetic, there is still a legitimate issue about the structure’s height. If approved, the arch might overshadow the Lincoln Memorial. It doesn’t frame the other landmark, which would’ve been an acceptable compromise. Instead, it takes the view away from the historical site. And for what? A French landmark knockoff?
Regardless, the project isn’t finalized yet—it’s just a drawing. Hopefully, it stays that way until this administration can come up with better plans for that money.
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