A white model of an Arc de Triomphe stood prominently on U.S. President Donald Trump’s desk during his meeting on Thursday with Finnish President Alex Stubb, drawing wide media attention.
The miniature, adorned with golden statues and sculpted eagles, represents a monumental project meant to symbolize what Trump calls “American greatness.”
A Monumental Project on the Banks of the Potomac
The model depicts an imposing arch rising from a roundabout near the Potomac River, facing the Lincoln Memorial and close to Arlington National Cemetery. Next to it stood a more detailed version showing columns and a winged golden statue holding a torch — a clear homage to the neoclassical style favored by Trump since his days as a real estate developer.
This Paris-inspired project didn’t appear by chance: on September 5, 2025, the official Donald Trump for President Facebook page had already shared an identical image signed by Harrison Design, a Washington-based architecture firm. The post linked the monument directly to the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, set for July 4, 2026.
A Monumental Vision of Power
Since returning to the White House, Trump has worked to reshape the symbols of American power in his image. In late August, he signed a decree promoting “classical architecture” inspired by ancient Rome and Greece, replacing modernist styles.
In the same spirit, he ordered an opulent renovation of the Oval Office, now adorned with golden accents, and the construction of a grand ballroom adjacent to the White House.
A Lasting Architectural Legacy
This grandiose aesthetic is not new for the New York billionaire. It reflects his long-standing desire to celebrate America’s military and historical power while leaving behind a lasting architectural legacy.
If realized, this American Arc de Triomphe would undoubtedly become one of the most controversial and symbolic monuments of the Trump era.
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