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On April 10, the Trump administration unveiled its latest design for the United States Triumphal Arch. The 250-foot monument is set to be built at the end of the Memorial Bridge in Washington, D.C., to commemorate the U.S.’ 250th anniversary this July.

Often referred to as the Arc de Trump, the arch will be modeled after the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France. The structure will feature a 60-foot statue resembling Lady Liberty atop the monument, surrounded by two eagles and four lions, all gilded in the president’s now-infamous signature gold.

Although President Donald Trump has yet to disclose the cost of this obnoxious monument, officials have confirmed that taxpayers will play a significant role in its funding. It’s estimated the project will have a $100 million price tag.

This isn’t the first time Trump has tried to force his way into indelibility. In July 2025, the administration announced the construction of the White House State Ballroom, another edifice plastered with tacky golden chandeliers and torches. This project will cost the government an astonishing $400 million, paid by private donors. The cost isn’t the issue, but rather the president showcasing that his lavish desires outweigh the needs of the average American.

Officially, the arch is meant to commemorate 250 years of our nation’s lifetime.

“It will serve… as a visual reminder of the noble sacrifices borne by so many American heroes throughout the 250-year history so we can enjoy our freedoms today,” said Davis Ingle, a White House spokesperson.

But the sitting president seems to have a different understanding of the monument’s purpose. When a CBS News reporter asked Trump who the arch would be for, he replied with a single word: me.

Abby Aggarwala | Design Editor

It appears the president isn’t the only one with this view. During a public forum regarding the Triumphal Arch, over 1,000 comments unanimously expressed a great distaste for the project, urging the committee to block it from moving forward.

The project comes at an incredibly divisive period of American history, and as job growth slows and the economy plunges, the last thing this nation needs to do is enable an egocentric leader with an outrageously costly monument.

Throughout Trump’s second term, social welfare programs have endured large losses in funding. Programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and disability benefits have struggled to aid Americans following the loss of backing.

Trump has made it clear that he has no interest in helping the average American, despite leaning so heavily on that sentiment during his 2024 Presidential campaign.

We need a leader who truly cares about struggling Americans, but Trump has shown time and time again that he is unwilling to do so. If we want to spark true change in our country, voicing our grievances in the upcoming midterms is our ticket out of this totalitarian nightmare.

Students need to realize that their voices matter, too. Whether you’re voting in person or sending in your ballot by mail, you must make your voice heard. Trump’s self-centered actions affect all of us; refusing to vote is just another way of expressing indifference. College students can’t underestimate their voice. Even in states that lean heavily to one side of the political spectrum, your vote still matters.

James Reed is a freshman studying political science. He can be reached at jcreed@syr.edu.

Published on April 27, 2026 at 8:39 pm