Trump wants to build a 250-foot-tall arch, dwarfing the Lincoln Memorial [View all]

Source: WaPo

The White House stands about 70 feet tall. The Lincoln Memorial, roughly 100 feet. The triumphal arch President Donald Trump wants to build would eclipse both if he gets his wish.

Trump has grown attached to the idea of a 250-foot-tall structure overlooking the Potomac River, according to two people who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe his comments, a scale that has alarmed some architectural experts who initially supported the idea of an arch but expected a far smaller one.

The planned Independence Arch is intended to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary. Built to Trump’s specifications, it would transform a small plot of land between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery into a dominant new monument, reshaping the relationship between the two memorials and obstructing pedestrians’ views.

Trump has considered smaller versions of the arch, including 165-foot-high and 123-foot-high designs he shared at a dinner last year. But he has favored the largest option, arguing that its sheer size would impress visitors to Washington, and that ‘250 for 250’ makes the most sense, the people said.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/01/31/trump-arch-memorial-circle/

New at @washingtonpost.com:

Trump wants to build a *250-ft-tall arch*, for America’s 250th anniversary

The structure would tower over nearby memorials — changing DC’s skyline and blocking views of the Lincoln Memorial

It’s also spooking experts who say it’s just too big

— Dan Diamond (@ddiamond.bsky.social) 2026-01-31T13:00:33.647Z

I spoke with the art critic, Catesby Leigh, who proposed original idea — a 60-ft temporary arch.

Trump has enlarged it and plans to make it permanent, alarming Leigh and others who say it threatens DC vista and history

@hannahdormido.bsky.social @timmeko.bsky.social show how views would change

— Dan Diamond (@ddiamond.bsky.social) 2026-01-31T14:01:26.473Z

Another visualization to show just how large the new Independence Arch would be, if Trump gets his way and installs it in a traffic circle between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery

with @hannahdormido.bsky.social @timmeko.bsky.social

— Dan Diamond (@ddiamond.bsky.social) 2026-01-31T14:13:23.709Z