Arc de Trump: Inside the President’s Vision For A Triumphal Arch In Washington DC

President Donald Trump is reportedly spearheading plans for a monumental arch in Washington, DC, to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary, one born of his personal vision and style ambitions. The proposed structure would stand near the Virginia side of the Arlington Memorial Bridge, nestled in the traffic circle between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial. Renderings by Harrison Design depict a stone arch with columns, eagles, wreaths, and a gilded winged figure, echoing classic triumphal designs such as Paris’s Arc de Triomphe. Sources tell CNN that Trump was intimately involved with the idea, saying, “He came up with the design and has been part of the process every step of the way.” At least two 3D models of the arch appeared on his Oval Office desk during recent meetings with foreign leaders, and he has shared a watercolor version on social media.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 Although construction timing and funding remain unsettled, the White House has already instated a broader mandate: a preference for classical architecture in federal projects, with deviations, like Brutalist styles, requiring his personal approval. While the arch itself won’t fall under those new rules, its aesthetic is said to align with that classical vision.Day 147 as your Minister of Energy: negotiating on behalf of Team Canada. pic.twitter.com/IMHIbImMDD— Tim Hodgson (@timhodgsonmt) October 7, 2025 Trump’s architectural influence in DC is already evident. He has overseen renovations to the White House Rose Garden, redecorated the Oval Office and Cabinet Room with opulent touches, and is proceeding with a major ballroom expansion. This new arch seems poised to be his most monumental imprint on the capital yet.When asked about the object on his desk by a reporter, Trump quipped, “It’s an Arc, take a look.” And when pressed on its dedication? He tapped his chest: “Me.”