Washington, D.C., a city better known for bureaucratic gridlock than architectural ambition, may soon get a jolt of unapologetic grandeur. The Trump administration is officially moving forward with plans for a massive “Triumphal Arch,” a monument designed to scream American pride in a town that often whispers it.

“I am pleased to announce that TODAY my Administration officially filed the presentation and plans to the highly respected Commission of Fine Arts for what will be the GREATEST and MOST BEAUTIFUL Triumphal Arch, anywhere in the World. This will be a wonderful addition to the… pic.twitter.com/2CkiLuvn9z

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 10, 2026

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt confirmed that formal plans are being submitted to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, the gatekeepers of what gets built in the nation’s capital.

“The United States triumphal arch will be outfitted with beautiful artwork and depictions celebrating the success of the American people over our 250-year history and the enduring triumph of the American spirit,” Leavitt said, pitching the project as nothing less than an “architectural masterpiece to celebrate our history.”

In other words: think less drab federal office block, more Parisian swagger — with a red, white, and blue twist.

Leavitt didn’t stop there, taking a swipe at the chronic cynicism that defines modern politics. “Great nations build beautiful structures that cultivate national pride and love of country, and this triumphal arch should be a project that all Americans, all political persuasions, can support,” she added.

Of course, in today’s hyperventilating political climate, “all Americans” agreeing on anything may be the real miracle.

The proposed structure would rise near Lincoln Memorial, at Memorial Circle on Columbia Island — prime real estate in a city already packed with monuments to past greatness. But Trump, never one to settle for blending in, is aiming to stand out.

Back in October, Donald Trump previewed the idea to donors, describing a monument that would rival — and, naturally, surpass — anything of its kind around the globe. That message hasn’t changed.

In a recent post, the White House touted the project in classic Trumpian fashion, calling it “the GREATEST and MOST BEAUTIFUL Triumphal Arch, anywhere in the World.”

Naturally, the proposal is already guaranteed to trigger the usual chorus of critics who think any display of national pride is a step too far. Expect hand-wringing about cost, aesthetics, and whether America should dare to celebrate itself so openly.

But here’s the uncomfortable truth for the naysayers: nations that believe in themselves tend to build things that reflect it. From the Arc de Triomphe in Paris to the grand symbols of Rome, history’s heavyweights didn’t shy away from monuments — they embraced them.

And now, Trump wants Washington to do the same.