Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

allegorical oracle

(6,323 posts)
Wed Nov 5, 2025, 03:36 PM Nov 2025

Plans afoot for the great, grand arch de drumpf

The price tag of President Donald Trump’s planned victory arch has been revealed — and it has eight zeroes, according to a new report.

The proposed monument, which is set to be built in the lead-up to the country’s 250th anniversary next year, is estimated to cost $100 million, according to Axios, citing unnamed White House insiders.

snip

The report did not say how the massive undertaking will be financed, though sources noted that Trump has raised $1.9 billion from private donors to help pad his war chest and pay for various construction projects, including his ballroom, which led to the demolition of the East Wing.

snip

It’s not clear whether the official process for building new monuments — which involves congressional authorization — is being followed. The apparent target completion date of July 2026 indicates Trump may go around the usual procedures.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/price-tag-of-trump-s-planned-victory-arch-for-dc-is-revealed/ar-AA1PSdMR

13 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Plans afoot for the great, grand arch de drumpf (Original Post) allegorical oracle Nov 2025 OP
Wait ... NOT The Onion? AZJonnie Nov 2025 #1
Who will be his throne bearers when he is the first traverser through the arch? John1956PA Nov 2025 #2
It will be an open topped vintage 1940's German automobile Layzeebeaver Nov 2025 #4
If it's fully built in 6months... Layzeebeaver Nov 2025 #3
Exactly. Only by utterly bypassing the proper processes can it even START by January. maxsolomon Nov 2025 #6
What do you do? electric_blue68 Nov 2025 #7
Architect maxsolomon Nov 2025 #8
Got it. I love architecture! Went to Cooper Union school of Art & Architecture. electric_blue68 Nov 2025 #12
What congress? MerryBlooms Nov 2025 #5
This thing would take five years (at least) to be built properly ITAL Nov 2025 #9
He doesn't need approvals. bif Nov 2025 #10
Didn't I say as much ITAL Nov 2025 #11
We're already under 9 months on November 5th. maxsolomon Nov 2025 #13

Layzeebeaver

(2,205 posts)
3. If it's fully built in 6months...
Wed Nov 5, 2025, 03:50 PM
Nov 2025

Then it’s basically wood, drywall and staples with fake marble shower panels

Actually, I think that would be perfect. Let it start to rot during and after construction.

maxsolomon

(38,393 posts)
6. Exactly. Only by utterly bypassing the proper processes can it even START by January.
Wed Nov 5, 2025, 04:27 PM
Nov 2025

Properly built, it would be a steel structure with a carved stone veneer. It needs elevators, stairs, an observation deck, and there's a fucking multi-story giant gold Winged Victory planned for top. Think about the wind forces on that cantilever transferring down into the arch.

Are there any design documents complete? Who's the Structural? Who's the General Contractor?

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy7e8lv176go :

On Saturday, Trump posted an illustration of a plan designed by Harrison Design architect Nicolas Leo Charbonneau on Truth Social.

Charbonneau, a partner at Harrison Design, posted a watercolour rendering of the proposal on social media on 4 September, writing: "America needs a triumphal arch!"


https://harrisondesign.com/profile/people

Who's the sculptor? Where's that sculpture going to be fabricated? It took one of my recent projects 9 months to get a 2-story stainless steel sculpture made and shipped from Shanghai.

On edit: I don't think it's going to have an Observation Deck, so no elevator. Probably 2 stairs, though.

electric_blue68

(26,386 posts)
12. Got it. I love architecture! Went to Cooper Union school of Art & Architecture.
Wed Nov 5, 2025, 05:40 PM
Nov 2025

Back in the pre-computer days. No CAD etc. I'd hangout with my art student friends, and some of the architect students.

Looked on and off at architecture magazines. My dad sometimes got them, and lots of stuff pops up on my Google feed.

Living in NYC is treasure trove of styles.

ITAL

(1,279 posts)
9. This thing would take five years (at least) to be built properly
Wed Nov 5, 2025, 05:05 PM
Nov 2025

I'm not even really talking about the various approvals that would also be involved (which he's obviously not getting, but which likely take another five to ten years). An arch in the way he's talking about would be massive undertaking with the stone work, etc.. This will be shoddy as hell if he wants it done in 9 months.

ITAL

(1,279 posts)
11. Didn't I say as much
Wed Nov 5, 2025, 05:30 PM
Nov 2025

I wasn't even taking approvals into consideration. I was speaking purely about the stone work etc.

maxsolomon

(38,393 posts)
13. We're already under 9 months on November 5th.
Wed Nov 5, 2025, 06:26 PM
Nov 2025

If they're going to have any chance, they'd better start excavating and shoring this month. I doubt they've selected a General Contractor yet.

The Fedrul Gubmint can self-permit projects in DC. The municipal government of DC has no authority on Federal Property, apparently.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Plans afoot for the great...