President Donald Trump has unveiled plans for a classical-style triumphal arch to be built in Washington DC as part of the celebrations marking America's 250th birthday in 2026. The proposal, which has been dubbed the "Arc de Trump" by CBS reporter Ed O'Keefe, was presented during a White House fundraising event where models of the proposed monument were displayed to attendees.
The architectural plans show a grand triumphal arch topped with a golden angel, positioned in Memorial Circle at the end of the Arlington Memorial Bridge. This strategic location would place the monument on the route leading over the Potomac River toward the Lincoln Memorial, making it a prominent feature in the nation's capital. While no official designer has been formally announced, Trump shared imagery on his Truth Social platform created by Harrison Design, an architecture firm with six offices across the United States, including locations in Washington DC and Los Angeles.
The design concept originated from Harrison Design partner Nicolas Leo Charbonneau, who initially shared a watercolor rendering on X (formerly Twitter) in early September. In his post, Charbonneau stated that "America needs a triumphal arch," promoting the classical architectural approach. The name "Arc de Trump" draws a clear parallel to Paris's famous Arc de Triomphe, which was commissioned by French Emperor Napoleon I in the early 19th century.
During the fundraising event, Trump announced that excess funds from an ongoing ballroom addition project at the White House would be redirected to help finance the triumphal arch construction. According to reports from attendees, discussions about this monument have been ongoing since early this year, coinciding with broader conversations about infrastructure projects for the America 250 celebrations. These commemorative plans also include a proposed UFC arena to be built on the White House lawns.
The Washington Post reported that initial conversations about the arch may have originated from Justin Shubow, president of the National Civic Art Society. Shubow has been a vocal advocate for renewing classical and traditional architecture throughout the country, a position he detailed in a previous interview with Dezeen earlier this year. Early discussions suggested the arch might be a temporary installation, but current White House insiders indicate it could become a permanent addition to Washington DC's architectural landscape.
This proposal aligns with Trump's broader architectural mandate favoring classical and traditional styles for federal buildings. The president has established a preferred national architectural style emphasizing these classical elements for government construction projects. However, this approach has faced criticism from some political figures, including US Congresswoman Dina Titus, who told Dezeen in an interview that such architectural mandates represent "what dictators do."
The triumphal arch proposal represents Trump's continued emphasis on classical architecture as a defining characteristic of American federal design. As planning continues for the 2026 America 250 celebrations, this monument could become one of the most significant architectural additions to the nation's capital in recent decades, though its ultimate realization will depend on funding approval and regulatory processes.
