President Trump revives talk of a dramatic arch addition to Washington DC near the Lincoln Memorial, framing it as a long-overdue national symbol.
On Air Force One en route to Florida, Trump told reporters the capital has desired such a monument for over 200 years, with plans dating back before the Civil War interrupted by eagle statues left unfinished.
“For 200 years they've wanted to build an arch.
He references near-misses like one in 1902, positioning himself as the leader to finally realize this vision amid his broader efforts to reshape the city's appearance.
The Historical Claims and the Real Record: Separating Facts from Hype
Trump made his pitch while on a plane to Florida, where he spoke to reporters on Air Force One. He said that the arch was a long-overdue addition to the capital and that "For 200 years they've wanted to build an arc," which we can reasonably assume he meant "arch." He said that many cities around the world have famous arches, but Washington doesn't have any.
He said that the four eagle statues were proof of his claim because they were left behind after a failed attempt before the Civil War. He went on to say that the war stopped it, and that other attempts, like one in the early 1900s, also failed. It's a strong story that makes Trump look like the visionary who finally made an American dream come true.
But records and historians tell a different story. The eagles that Trump talks about don't come from an old plan. They are actually part of the Arlington Memorial Bridge, which connects Virginia and Washington, D.C. over the Potomac River. People didn't even think about this bridge until long after the Civil War.
The idea was first brought up in 1886, but Congress didn't approve it until 1925. According to the National Park Service, construction began in the late 1920s and ended in the early 1930s. The bridge was built to show that the country was one. It linked the Lincoln Memorial to Arlington National Cemetery, which was once the home of Confederate General Robert E. Lee.
The eagle statues on the bridge's corners were put there to make it look nice, but there is no proof that they were part of an earlier arch project that the Civil War stopped.
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Trump's Vision: A Grand Arch and the Hype Behind It
The Arc de Triomphe is the inspiration for Trump's building idea. He wants something that is about 164 feet tall and looks like the Parisian monument that honors French revolutionaries and Napoleonic warriors.
But Trump doesn't like to be subtle; he wants it to be about 250 feet tall, which would make it taller than the White House or the Lincoln Memorial and almost as big as the Capitol dome, which is 288 feet tall.
He showed off models of different sizes at a donor event in October, and of course, he liked the biggest one the best. He said, "I'd like it to be the biggest one of all," stressing that it might be the most beautiful arch in the world.
At the top? A statue of Lady Liberty with an American touch. The site would be close to the Arlington Memorial Bridge, which is in line with Trump's idea of making America great again.
He's putting together a group to handle the details. We don't know how much it will cost, but we do know that Trump's White House ballroom project cost $400 million. He wants to show it off at the 250th birthday party for the US in 2026.
Separating the Truth from the Hype: What's Really Driving Trump's Plan
Harrison Design, a local architecture firm, is already working on the project, but there is no set date for when construction will start. The White House is very supportive of the idea.
Davis Ingle, a spokesperson, said, "President Trump is right." People in the United States have wanted an Arch in Washington, D.C. for 200 years to show off our great history. They even sent a picture of the eagles on the bridge to back up their claim, but as we've shown, the timeline doesn't match.
Trump has used questionable history to support his plans to build before. For instance, he's taking down part of the East Wing of the White House to make room for a big ballroom.
He says that for 150 years, administrators have been looking for a big event space, but there isn't much historical evidence that people wanted it. There has always been a lack of room at the White House, but no one has ever asked for a separate ballroom.
It's more about Trump's personal style, which he developed when he built amazing towers and resorts in New York City. This arch fits right in with that pattern, giving him power over more than just the White House grounds.
Past Arches in DC and Ongoing Transformations
Harrison Design, a local architecture firm, is already working on the project, but there is no set date for when construction will start. The White House is very supportive of the idea.
Davis Ingle, a spokesperson, said, "President Trump is right." People in the United States have wanted an Arch in Washington, D.C. for 200 years to show off our great history. They even sent a picture of the eagles on the bridge to back up their claim, but as we've shown, the timeline doesn't match.
Trump has used questionable history to support his plans to build before. For instance, he's taking down part of the East Wing of the White House to make room for a big ballroom.
He says that for 150 years, administrators have been looking for a big event space, but there isn't much historical evidence that people wanted it. There has always been a lack of room at the White House, but no one has ever asked for a separate ballroom.
It's more about Trump's personal style, which he developed when he built amazing towers and resorts in New York City. This arch fits right in with that pattern, giving him power over more than just the White House grounds.
Debate Over Legacy and What Comes Next
In 2000, someone suggested a peace arch, but the idea was put on hold after the attacks on September 11. These examples show that arches have been popular and then gone out of style in the past.
Trump says that people have wanted these things for 200 years, but they were either temporary or ideas that never came to fruition. Some people think that Trump's focus on these projects takes time away from more important things, like fixing up the country's infrastructure or protecting its history.
People who support Trump, on the other hand, think that he is using his business skills to get his name out there. His work as a developer, which includes Trump Tower and other tall buildings, makes him want to make his mark on the city.
The arch could become a new symbol of American success, like the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, which is 630 feet tall and honors the westward expansion. Trump's arch, on the other hand, feels more personal than that one, which was built with both public and private money and is part of a national park.
The White House calls it a "bold vision." In the end, money, approvals, and political will will decide if this arch ever gets built. Depending on the elections, Trump's time in office could be coming to an end or going on longer. But his ideas often last longer than the news.
Charlotte Reynolds
Political Journalist
Charlotte Reynolds is a political journalist with years of experience covering Congress, federal policies, elections, and political strategy. She provides in-depth analysis and commentary on national issues.
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