Trump doubles down on classical capital with "Arc de Trump" proposal
US president Donald Trump has held a briefing on a proposed classical-style triumphal arch that may be installed in Washington DC as part of the celebrations to mark America's 250th birthday in 2026.
Models of the proposed arch were showcased during a fundraising event that Trump held in the White House yesterday.
A landscape model shows the arch, topped by a golden angel, in a roundabout called Memorial Circle at the end of the Arlington Memorial Bridge in Washington DC, which leads over the Potomac River towards the Lincoln Memorial.
While no official designer has been designated, Trump shared an image on Truth Social produced by architecture studio Harrison Design, a firm with six offices across the US, including Washington DC and Los Angeles.
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! pic.twitter.com/JjwSZsOE9z
— Nicolas Leo Charbonneau (@nic_charbonneau) September 4, 2025
Architect Nicolas Leo Charbonneau shared a design on X
Harrison Design partner Nicolas Leo Charbonneau initially shared the watercolour on X in early September, stating that "America needs a triumphal arch".
According to reports from the fundraising event, Trump stated that the extra funds from an in-progress ballroom addition to the White House would go toward helping fund the arch.
Reports from inside the event also emphasise a comment made by CBS reporter Ed O' Keefe, who dubbed it the "Arc de Trump" – a play on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, commissioned by French emperor Napoleon I in the early 19th century.
Talks have been going on since early this year, in line with ongoing conversations about infrastructure for the America 250 celebrations, which so far include a proposed UFC arena on the lawns of the White House.
According to the Washington Post, talks about the arch began early this year and may have originated from National Civic Art Society president Justin Shubow.
Arc de Trump? Trump touts a new real estate project. No, not the ballroom https://t.co/Aeva3J0PAp
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) October 16, 2025
Donald Trump showcased the arch at a fundraising event
The Washington Post said that initial conversations about the arch suggested it may be temporary, but now White House insiders are talking about it being a permanent addition to the nation's capital.
Shubow has been an advocate of the move towards renewing classical and traditional architecture across the country, a position he outlined in an interview with Dezeen earlier this year.
Besides the ballroom addition, Trump has mandated a preferred national style based on classical and traditional architecture when it comes to federal architecture.
In an interview with Dezeen, US congresswoman Dina Titus said these mandates and preference for classical architecture is "what dictators do".
The photo is by Carol M Highsmith.
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