The White House unveils the first images of the “Arc de Triomphe of the United States”

A time baptized « arc de Trump »the monumental arch project desired by the American president in Washington saw its name officially revealed on Wednesday by the White House: “ Arc de Triomphe of the United States ».

The spokesperson for the American executive, Karoline Leavitt, announced this during a press briefing, emphasizing that the structure would be built to mark the 250^e anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence, celebrated on July 4. “In honor of this historic occasion”Donald Trump and his government will submit plans for “the Arc de Triomphe of the United States”she said.

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Showing an image initially held upside down, Karoline Leavitt said the monumental arch will rise 250 feet – more than 76 meters – “in homage to 250 years” independence of the country. With a colossal statue of the allegory of liberty at its top, the arch will be much larger than the Arc de Triomphe in Paris at 50 m high.

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It is even expected to become the tallest structure of its kind in the world, surpassing the monument to the revolution in Mexico City, and relegating the Arc de Triomphe in Pyongyang, North Korea, to third place. Plans for the Washington Arch were first revealed in October, when AFP journalists spotted a model of the structure on Donald Trump’s desk in the Oval Office.

A project funded by American taxpayers

The first full images of the monument were revealed on Friday. The arch is part of a long list of architectural projects undertaken by Donald Trump in the American capital at the start of his second term, alongside the construction of a gigantic ballroom at the White House in place of the east wing.

The structure with golden accents will notably overshadow its future neighbor, the Lincoln Memorial, which is only a little over 30 m high. For his detractors, the arch will only be a monument to the vanity of the current 79-year-old president. While the total cost has not been revealed by the White House, the project will be financed in part by American taxpayers.

But for Karoline Leavitt, “the Arc de Triomphe of the United States” will enhance national pride. “Long after everyone in this room is gone, our children and grandchildren will remain inspired by this national monument”she told the press.