Trump to Begin Building ‘Triumphal Arch’ in D.C. in Two Months/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Donald Trump has announced construction of a “Triumphal Arch” monument in Washington, D.C., expected to start within two months. The privately funded structure will commemorate America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. This follows final approval of the Women’s Suffrage Monument nearby on Constitution Gardens.
Trump’s Triumphal Arch Monument Quick Looks
- Construction of Trump’s “Arc de Trump” set to begin within 2 months
- Monument designed to honor America’s 250th anniversary in 2026
- Inspired by Paris’ Arc de Triomphe, it will be privately funded
- Project follows completion of White House ballroom fundraising
- Exact location still unconfirmed but possibly near Lincoln Memorial
- Separate Women’s Suffrage National Monument gains final D.C. approval
- Trump previously signed legislation supporting the Women’s Suffrage monument
- Unclear whether Trump’s monument has received necessary federal approvals
- Women’s Suffrage Monument to be built at Constitution Gardens site
- MLK Memorial was the last major monument on the National Mall
Deep Look: Trump to Begin Building ‘Triumphal Arch’ in D.C. in Two Months
President Donald Trump has revealed that construction will soon begin on a monumental new structure in Washington, D.C. — a triumphal arch inspired by Paris’ iconic Arc de Triomphe. The monument, often referred to as the “Arc de Trump,” is intended to mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in 2026.
In a recent phone interview from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump told Politico that construction is scheduled to start “sometime in the next two months.” Though no groundbreaking has occurred yet, the former president expressed enthusiasm about the monument’s future.
“It’ll be great. Everyone loves it,” he said. “They love the ballroom too. But they love the Triumphal Arch.”
The funding for the arch will come from private donations, with leftover funds from the newly planned White House ballroom project. That project, which has faced both support and scrutiny, has already raised significant private contributions from donors Trump referred to as “patriots.”
So far, the precise location of the monument has not been publicly confirmed, but reports suggest it may be constructed near the Lincoln Memorial, one of the most iconic sites on the National Mall. Despite early excitement, official details regarding construction timelines, estimated costs, and the identities of key project leaders have not yet been released by the Trump team or the White House.
While Trump’s arch has yet to receive confirmed federal approval, the announcement arrives at a moment of historic significance in the capital. Another major monument — the Women’s Suffrage National Monument — has recently received its final go-ahead from federal agencies.
On December 4, the Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation (WSNMF) shared that it had received unanimous approval from the National Capital Planning Commission for a permanent 2.5-acre site within Constitution Gardens on the National Mall. This location sits near the intersection of 19th Street and Constitution Avenue NW.
The approval was the result of a multi-step, highly regulated federal process, including reviews by the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission, the Commission of Fine Arts, and a public comment phase coordinated through the National Park Service. The foundation praised the broad bipartisan support that helped the initiative reach this milestone.
“The enthusiasm behind this project has been inspiring,” said Anna Laymon, WSNMF President and CEO, in an official statement. She also acknowledged contributions from five first ladies — Melania Trump, Jill Biden, Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, and Hillary Clinton — along with Congressional backers such as Senators Marsha Blackburn and Tammy Baldwin, and Representatives Debbie Lesko and Joe Neguse.
Trump’s involvement in historical monument planning stretches back to December 2020, when he signed Public Law 116-217 authorizing the creation of the Women’s Suffrage National Monument. That legislative action was followed by the Women’s Suffrage National Monument Location Act, signed in the final days of Joe Biden’s presidency, which further solidified the project’s future on federal land.
While the Women’s Suffrage Monument is now entering its design and creative development phase, the status of Trump’s arch remains more ambiguous in terms of regulatory clearance. There’s no confirmation yet on whether it has undergone a similar federal approval process involving agencies like the National Park Service or the Commission of Fine Arts.
Nonetheless, Trump’s supporters view the arch as a tribute to American heritage and civic pride, aligned with the former president’s frequent calls to “make D.C. beautiful again.” A model of the arch was previously seen displayed on the Resolute Desk and was featured at a White House ballroom fundraising dinner held in October 2025.
The last significant monument erected on the National Mall was the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, completed in 2011. That memorial stands as a tribute to civil rights and is carved from granite, echoing Dr. King’s message delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the historic 1963 March on Washington.
With America’s 250th anniversary fast approaching, Washington, D.C. is once again becoming a canvas for new national landmarks. Whether or not Trump’s arch takes its place among them will depend on a mix of public support, regulatory hurdles, and timely construction — all of which remain to be seen as 2026 draws near.
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