LArc de Triomphe des États

The structure would be built to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the United States, celebrated on July 4th.

Once called the “Trump Arch,” the monumental arch project wanted by the American president in Washington has now been officially unveiled by the White House as the “Arc de Triomphe of the United States.”

The Executive Office spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, announced during a press briefing that the structure would be built to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the United States, celebrated on July 4th. Trump and his government will submit plans for the “Arc de Triomphe of the United States” in honor of this historic occasion.

Initially shown in an upside-down image, Karoline Leavitt clarified that the monumental arch will stand at 250 feet (over 76 meters) as a tribute to the 250 years of independence of the country.

Taller than the Arc de Triomphe

With a colossal statue of the allegory of liberty at its peak, the arch will be much taller than the Arc de Triomphe in Paris at 50 meters. It is expected to become the tallest structure of its kind in the world, surpassing the Monument to the Revolution in Mexico, 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. The first complete images of the monument were unveiled on Friday.

The arch is part of a long list of architectural projects undertaken by Donald Trump in the American capital at the beginning of his second term, including the construction of a massive ballroom at the White House on the east wing.

Uplifting American pride

The structure with golden accents will overshadow its future neighbor, the Lincoln Memorial, which stands just over 30 meters tall. For critics, the arch will simply be a monument to the vanity of the current 79-year-old president.

While the total cost has not been disclosed by the White House, the project will be partially funded by American taxpayers. But for Karoline Leavitt, the “Arc de Triomphe of the United States” will serve to uplift national pride.

“Long after everyone in this room has disappeared, our children and grandchildren will still be inspired by this national monument,” she told the press.