With a critical deadline looming for millions of Americans facing steep rises in health insurance premiums, President Donald Trump has declared that his administration's primary domestic focus is the construction of a colossal triumphal arch in Washington D.C.
Arch Takes Precedence in Domestic Policy
During a White House Christmas reception on Sunday, 15 December 2025, the President informed attendees that Vince Haley, the head of the Domestic Policy Council, should treat the arch as his "primary thing." This directive comes despite mounting pressure to address the affordability of healthcare, an issue that contributed to Democratic successes in recent off-year elections.
"It's something that is so special. Uh, it will be like the one in, in Paris, but to be honest with you, it blows it away. Blows it away in every way," Trump stated. He recounted how Haley had been moved to tears upon seeing a model of the proposed structure. "He saw it and he wanted to do that," the President added.
Details of the Monumental Project
The planned arch, intended to commemorate America's 250th anniversary, bears a strong resemblance to Paris's Arc de Triomphe. Trump first hinted at the project in October 2025, showing a model to Finland's President Alexander Stubb. He later provided a more formal unveiling during a donor dinner for his separate White House ballroom project.
The massive structure is slated for a roundabout near Arlington Cemetery in Virginia, directly opposite the Lincoln Memorial. Trump has claimed the site, which he says was originally to be named Memorial Circle in 1902, is destined for such a monument. "Every time somebody rides over that beautiful bridge to the Lincoln Memorial, they literally say something is supposed to be here," he argued. The design features two giant white eagles atop the arch.
Funding, according to the President, will partially come from leftover money from the $300 million White House ballroom renovation.
A Pattern of Grand Architectural Ambitions
This arch is the latest in a series of major construction projects undertaken during Trump's second term. These include:
- The addition of a new ballroom to the White House.
- The controversial paving over of the historic Rose Garden, which was rebranded the "Rose Garden Club."
- A radical redesign of the Oval Office, incorporating gold medallions, cherubs, eagles, and Rococo-style mirrors reminiscent of his private properties.
This focus on monumental architecture and renovation persists as Congress and the White House face a pressing deadline to extend Covid-era tax credits. Without an agreement, healthcare insurance costs are set to rise dramatically for millions of citizens in the coming days.
