Donald Trump keeps trying to leave his mark on Washington, D.C.
Nearly every one of his vanity projects has drawn criticism, as the president seems determined to make it bigger and flashier than anyone expected.
Trump has already put his personal stamp on several historic spaces around the nation’s capital, such as the John F. Kennedy Center.
For months, he has defended his ambitious plans against critics who question the project’s size and location.
Trump’s latest plans suggest he is nowhere near finished reshaping Washington to suit his taste.
Federal officials have also raised concerns. None of that appears to have changed his mind. Now, new renderings reveal the extravagant details of his infamous arch.
The latest plans for Trump’s proposed 250-foot Monumental Arch reveal a golden surprise.
A 60-foot gilded bronze winged Lady Liberty, resembling the Statue of Liberty, will crown the structure. Two golden eagles will flank the statue, which will hold a torch with an “eternal flame.”
The elaborate design gives Trump’s obsession with gold an entirely new stage.
According to documents submitted by the Interior Department to the National Capital Planning Commission, gilded lettering will spell out “ONE NATION UNDER GOD” across the monument.
Like the White House, gold accents will also decorate its exterior, moldings, and massive central opening.
The arch will span 166 feet and feature five elevators, six stairways and an observation deck. Its towering design will dwarf the Lincoln Memorial, which stands approximately 99 feet tall.
Even the eternal flame comes with an unexpected explanation.
The Federal Aviation Administration initially called for red obstruction lights because of the monument’s proximity to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Instead, the final aviation requirements call for a nonstandard eternal flame. Additional lighting will illuminate the upper portion of the structure for approaching aircraft.
The extravagant design quickly became a target for jokes on Facebook.
After seeing the new renderings, a few people exclaimed, “God help us” and “Who’s paying for this monstrosity?”
A few more uttered messages like, “STOP this nonsense… citizens do not want an arch and certainly don’t want to pay for it to appease his vanity.”
Someone else wondered, “Lady Liberty has no wings. Neither do her sisters, Lady Justice and Lady Freedom. They need no wings. They each carry two things very important to them. So they need no wings.”
Another pointed out, “Wow, he must detest John F. Kennedy. Something he can never be but will build an eternal flame for himself. Sickening wannabe.”
However, the latest renderings also reveal something conspicuously missing.
Trump recently announced that the monument would double as a “top-grade Military Complex,” complete with rooftop snipers, drones and ammunition storage.
“At the strong request of the United States Military, and for National Security purposes, I have agreed to convert the magnificent Triumphal Arch,” Trump wrote on Truth Social in September.
The president claimed the facility would store large numbers of drones and sniper ammunition. He offered no specific threat that would justify turning a tourist attraction into an armed military installation.
Yet the newly submitted plans contain no mention of snipers, drones or military operations.
Instead, the documents describe public galleries, observation areas and ceremonial functions. The White House reportedly insisted Trump’s military ambitions had not changed.
One Facebook commenter questioned the apparent reversal, writing, “So he got it pushed through saying it was for the military and now he got the all clear… surprise!!!!” Another predicted the monument would be “Coming down with the next real president.”
The controversy began in October 2025, when Trump announced his vision for a triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery.
By January, he was already bragging about its enormous proportions, declaring, “I’d like it to be the biggest one of all.”
He had a replica made for his Freedom 250 celebration this summer. Unfortunately, it was so poorly crafted that it became a cringe-worthy punchline during the event.
The location of the proposed monument has also created problems beyond its appearance.
National Park Service documents leaked last month acknowledged that the monument would cause “adverse effects” to Arlington National Cemetery, the Lincoln Memorial, and other historic properties.
Officials admitted those effects “cannot be fully avoided” because the proposed location is central to the project.
Three Vietnam War veterans have challenged the monument in court. They argue that congressional authorization is required and that the structure threatens historic views between Arlington and the Lincoln Memorial.
Federal spending documents also identify $15 million reserved for the project.
The National Capital Planning Commission is scheduled to review the latest plans on Nov. 5.
For now, Trump’s golden monument remains a proposal. Whether its military makeover ever materializes is another question.
But one thing is certain: The president’s vision for Washington is getting a lot more gold, whether critics like it or not.
More details on the Trump triumphal Arch: the eternal flame will be a torch held by the statue at the top of the arch https://t.co/Vhge5ip3UG https://t.co/E01qDaFtnD
— David Shepardson (@davidshepardson) October 19, 2026
