Donald Trump’s “next big thing” is too big. That’s the verdict of some critics who fear the US President’s proposed triumphal arch in Washington DC will dominate and destroy the capital’s skyline.

Trump first unveiled plans last year for the arch, inspired by Paris’s iconic Arc de Triomphe ­and intended to act as a gateway to the city while also marking the 250th anniversary of America’s signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Debate has ramped up over the proposed Independence Arch after the President posted a series of potential new designs on social media.

The Washington Post reported that he now wants the structure – dubbed the “Arc de Trump” by US media – to reach 250 feet (76 metres), in line with America’s 250th anniversary.

That is not only significantly taller than originally envisioned, but would also dwarf the Arc de Triomphe, which is about 50 metres tall and 45 metres wide.

According to the newspaper, the proposed site is near the Memorial Bridge overlooking the Potomac River, between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial.

While Trump hasn’t confirmed the exact height of the arch, he said on Sunday night (local time): “I’d like it to be the biggest one of all. We’re the biggest, most powerful nation.”

In one of his most recent social media posts, he shared a photo of New Delhi’s 42-metre-tall India Gate arch, captioning it: “India’s beautiful Triumphal Arch. Ours will be the greatest of them all!”

Experts quoted in the Post story expressed concern that at 76 metres, Trump’s arch would dominate the Washington skyline and overshadow other monuments, including the 30-metre-tall memorial honouring former US president Abraham Lincoln.

“I don’t think an arch that large belongs there,” said art critic Catesby Leigh, who had previously proposed a more modest version.

“If you’re going to build an arch that big, you should build it in another part of town.”

Another media outlet reported the proposed site is also situated along a flight path for the nearby Reagan National Airport in Arlington.

The White House and Trump have been quick to fire back, with spokesman Davis Ingle saying the arch will be “one of the most iconic landmarks not only in Washington, DC, but throughout the world”.

“President Trump’s bold vision will be imprinted upon the fabric of America and be felt by generations to come,” Ingle said.

“His successes will continue to give the greatest nation on earth – America – the glory it deserves.”

White House communications director Steven Cheung also responded on X with: “The ‘experts’ who think it’s ‘too big’ are used to living with things being small.”

The Independence Arch is the latest in a slew of passion projects Trump has initiated in the US capital in what Reuters news agency has described as the most extensive remaking of Washington’s landscape in decades.

Others include a lavish new ballroom at the White House costing $US400 million ($A574 million), and an extensive renovation of the John F Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts.

The arts centre plans will require the centre to be closed for two years and were announced on the weekend following slumping ticket sales and show cancellations after the board controversially voted in December to rename it the Trump-Kennedy Center.

Given the emphasis Trump puts on the size of his initiatives – the “new, big, beautiful ballroom” and his “one big beautiful bill” on tax and spending, for example – no one should really be surprised by his ambitions for the Independence Arch.

When asked by a journalist who the arch was for when he first displayed models of it in October, the President reportedly replied: “Me. It’s going to be beautiful.”

In the triptych of renderings he shared on Truth Social a week ago, one of the designs features gold ornamentation, which has been a trademark feature of Trump’s makeover of the White House. It also includes two Roman-style statues of women.

In another of the designs, the two women are replaced by statues of male historical figures, while the third had no statues.

The post wasn’t accompanied by any explanation about where the designs came from. It’s been noted that although they are similar to renders released last year by design firm Harrison Design (below), the arches in the new images aren’t topped by a gold-winged angel and have the addition of reflecting pools at their base.

“All three proposals, proportionally speaking, evoke the Arch of Titus, on Rome’s Via Sacra – four engaged, fluted pilasters on each facade framing a single grand arch,” reported The Architect’s Newspaper.

“The Arch of Titus was built following Rome’s military conquest of Jerusalem.”

The public response to the proposed arch has been divided, with some social media users in favour of such a significant tribute for America’s 250th anniversary, while others agree it is too big.

“Let’s do it! Merica!,” wrote one user, suggesting the Team Americatheme song could be blasted 24-7 from speakers at the top of Arc de Trump.

https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/world/us-news/trump-news/2026/02/03/trumps-arch-is-too-big

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