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Trump’s ‘Arc de Trump’ Brutally Mocked by New York Times Critic: ‘A Travesty’ That Could Change Washington Forever
Architectural critic Paul Goldberger has sharply criticised Donald Trump’s proposed 250-foot triumphal arch, while preservation officials warn it could disrupt views of some of Washington, D.C.’s most historic landmarks.
Donald Trump’s ambitious plans to reshape Washington, D.C., have drawn another blistering response this time from one of the city’s most prominent architectural voices.
The proposed 250-foot triumphal arch, widely dubbed the “Arc de Trump”, has been described by former New York Times architecture critic Paul Goldberger as a “travesty” that could dramatically alter the visual character of the U.S. capital.
In an opinion piece published by The New York Times, Goldberger took aim at what he sees as Trump’s increasingly grandiose approach to Washington’s historic landscape. He argued that the proposed monument would be far more than another structure in the capital it could become an unavoidable symbol of Trump’s presidency.
The criticism comes as the administration continues to advance plans for the enormous arch near Memorial Circle, close to Arlington National Cemetery and directly across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial.
Why is the ‘Arc de Trump’ so controversial?
The proposed arch would rise approximately 250 feet, making it substantially taller than the Lincoln Memorial and one of the most visually dominant structures in the Washington area. The design draws inspiration from monumental triumphal arches such as Paris’ Arc de Triomphe, but with a considerably larger scale.
The project has already received preliminary design approval from the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, and the latest plans include an observation deck offering sweeping views of the surrounding capital.
But opponents argue that its location is precisely what makes the proposal so problematic.
A National Park Service assessment found that the structure could affect views from 37 historic sites, including the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and Arlington National Cemetery.
Veterans and preservation advocates have also raised concerns about the proposed observation deck, saying visitors could potentially look toward areas of Arlington National Cemetery where private funerals are taking place.
Goldberger: ‘It would be hard to make it go away’
Goldberger’s criticism goes beyond questions of architecture.
He suggested that the speed with which Trump wants the monument completed could itself be politically significant. Once a structure of this scale becomes part of Washington’s skyline, removing it would be extremely difficult.
That, Goldberger argued, could make the arch a permanent physical reminder of Trump’s presidency whether future generations want it there or not.
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The criticism reflects a broader debate surrounding Trump’s approach to Washington. His administration has pursued several highly visible changes to federal landmarks and public spaces, including plans for a major White House ballroom, alterations to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, and an extensive overhaul of the Kennedy Center.
More than just an architectural argument
Supporters of the arch say it would provide Washington with a monumental gateway celebrating the 250th anniversary of American independence. Trump has repeatedly promoted the project as an extraordinary addition to the capital.
The design itself is intentionally imposing. Earlier plans featured a gilded, Lady Liberty-like figure at the top, flanked by eagles, while inscriptions including “One Nation Under God” and “Liberty and Justice for All” are incorporated into the design.
Critics, however, see a fundamental mismatch between the monument’s triumphal character and its proposed location beside Arlington National Cemetery.
The debate is therefore not simply about whether the arch is beautiful or ugly. It is about what Washington’s monumental landscape is supposed to represent — national power and victory, or remembrance, sacrifice and reconciliation.
For now, the “Arc de Trump” remains a proposal moving through the approval process. But the controversy surrounding it is already turning the planned structure into one of the most divisive architectural projects in modern Washington.
And if Goldberger’s assessment is any indication, the argument over the arch may become almost as prominent as the monument itself.
