Politics
JUST IN: Trump Unveils Plan For New National Monument
President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that his administration is currently involved in planning a new national monument in Washington D.C., which is set to be built as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration next year.
While speaking at a White House dinner, the president unveiled a model of a detailed triumphal topped by a gold bust of Lady Liberty. The model was spotted on the president’s desk in the Oval Office earlier this week, where it was laid out on a map placing it near the Lincoln Memorial.
A snapshot of the layout was snapped by AFP photographer Jim Watson as the president met with his Finnish counterpart, President Alexander Stubb. Canadian Minister of Energy Tim Hodgson also posted a photo of Trump showcasing one of the models while speaking to a group of Canadian officials
The models match a design and watercolor rendering from the firm Harrison Design, CNN reported. According to the model, the project appears to closely resemble France’s Arc de Triomphe.
“I don’t know if you can see. So, that’s Lady Liberty. Lady, did you ever hear of Lady, Lady Liberty?” Trump said at the dinner Wednesday while holding up the model. He further revealed that planners are currently considering three different builds of various sizes.
“I happen to think the large one’s much better,” the president joked.
On Trump’s desk in the Oval Office today was a plan for a triumphal arch on the other side of the river from the Lincoln Memorial pic.twitter.com/PyulIhlmHE
— Danny Kemp (@dannyctkemp) October 9, 2025
A senior White House official told CNN that the arch was President Trump’s personal idea. “He came up with the design and has been part of the process every step of the way,” the official said.
The watercolor rendering of the plan outlines a stone arch that features columns, eagles, wreaths, and the golden figurine atop the structure. The White House official noted that the design is still being worked out, adding that a timetable for the project is yet to be determined.
The proposed monument would be situated near the Virginia side of the Arlington Memorial Bridge, resting on what is currently a traffic circle located directly between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, according to architect Nicolas Leo Charbonneau, a partner at Harrison Design.
“A proposal for a triumphal arch in DC for #America250, in the traffic circle in front of Arlington National Cemetery. America needs a triumphal arch!” Charbonneau posted on social media alongside the watercolor rendering, which was done by artist Christopher Draper.
“Washington, DC, is the only major Western capital that lacks an arch. It’s a time-honored tradition for celebrating events and people and ideas – and also for acting as gateways to cities,” a source familiar with the project told CNN.
