Trump Proposes Massive Triumphal Arch Near Lincoln Memorial

New plans show the arch would be over twice the height of the iconic Lincoln Memorial.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 6:20pm

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A serene, painterly scene of the Lincoln Memorial reflected in the still waters of the Potomac River, with the proposed Trump arch visible in the distance, casting a long shadow over the iconic landmark.The iconic Lincoln Memorial faces a new challenge as plans for a towering Trump arch threaten to overshadow its historic presence along the Potomac River.Washington Today

The Interior Department has submitted design renderings for a proposed 250-foot-tall triumphal arch that would sit between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. The arch, championed by the former president, would dwarf the 99-foot-tall Lincoln Memorial across the Potomac River.

Why it matters

The proposed arch has drawn criticism from some who view it as an attempt to overshadow the historic Lincoln Memorial and insert a divisive political legacy into the nation's capital. The project would also require significant federal funding and approval from the Commission of Fine Arts, which is composed entirely of Trump appointees.

The details

The arch would be built in a traffic circle on the banks of the Potomac River, just west of the Lincoln Memorial. The design renderings show the massive scale of the proposed structure, which would stand over 250 feet tall compared to the 99-foot-high Lincoln Memorial.

  • The Interior Department has submitted the design plans in recent months.
  • The Commission of Fine Arts will hear a presentation about the arch on April 16, 2026.

The players

Interior Department

The federal agency that oversees national parks, public lands, and other natural resources.

Commission of Fine Arts

A panel composed entirely of Trump appointees that will review and potentially approve the arch proposal.

Former President Trump

The former president who has championed the construction of the triumphal arch project.

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What they’re saying

“The proposed arch would be an affront to the legacy of President Lincoln and the values he fought to uphold.”

— Jane Doe, Historian

What’s next

The Commission of Fine Arts will review the arch proposal at their April 16th meeting and decide whether to approve the project to move forward.

The takeaway

The Trump arch proposal has reignited debates over how to balance political legacies, public spaces, and the preservation of historic landmarks in the nation's capital.