We Toured Trump’s DC Vanity Projects. It’s a Mess.
Donald Trump’s beloved White House ballroom is moving ahead—at a reported cost of $900 million and counting—thanks to a 5-4 ruling Monday from the Supreme Court. The ballroom is just one of a slew of active or would-be construction sites where the president is hoping to leave his mark on Washington. But for now, it’s […]
Donald Trump's efforts to leave his mark on Washington, D.C. have resulted in a mix of successful projects and abandoned plans. The expansive White House ballroom, costing an estimated $900 million, is one such ongoing endeavor. This project was recently approved by the Supreme Court, following a 5-4 ruling.
However, many of Trump's other initiatives have hit roadblocks. The Kennedy Center, for instance, remains closed after a federal judge ordered the removal of his name from the building. Trump's plans for the center, including custom marble armrests and additional performances, have not materialized.
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, reopened following renovation, has since been drained and fenced off. This closure was due to algae blooms and peeling "American flag blue" liner, which the Justice Department attributed to flawed work by a contractor who received a no-bid contract worth $15 million.
The administration's plan to construct a 250-foot monument, dubbed the "Arc de’ Trump", also faces uncertainty. Despite initial approval from a key federal commission, the proposal has been met with legal opposition due to concerns about its impact on Arlington National Cemetery.
Other projects, such as the "National Garden of American Heroes" and a luxury golf course on a Potomac island, are also unlikely to be built. The garden, featuring sculptures of 250 Americans, was initially set to be completed by July 4, but is currently far from completion due to limited statue-making capacity and lack of congressional approval.
Trump has, however, installed statues in Washington, including a new statue of Christopher Columbus on the White House grounds and 14 statues in Freedom Plaza. These statues were installed hastily, leading to a temporary fencing of Lafayette Park.
Other projects, like the repair of two ornamental fountains at Lafayette Park, have also been completed through a no-bid contract, but remain closed to the public. The administration has now proposed permanently fencing off the park.
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