Trump's New Initiative: Plans to Build 250 Statues in the US
Former US President Donald Trump plans to build a garden of statues to commemorate 250 prominent American figures. The plan is part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Trump announced the plan on Truth Social after returning from a visit and meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing recently.
“I am proud to announce the location of the AMERICAN HEROES NATIONAL GARDEN,” he wrote on Truth Social, quoted by Detik.com, Sunday (17/5/2026).
“This exhibition of magnificent statues will be located in West Potomac Park, which we are transforming into one of the most beautiful public spaces in the world. Currently, it is just an empty lot on the banks of the majestic Potomac River,” Trump added.
The park will eventually house around 250 life-size statues of influential American figures. Some of the names on the list include Abraham Lincoln, Muhammad Ali, Christopher Columbus, and Kobe Bryant. The project is planned to be built in the West Potomac Park area, Washington, D.C.
According to The Associated Press, the idea of building the garden of statues was actually initiated by Donald Trump at the beginning of his first term in 2020.
Towards the end of his term, Trump even signed an executive order containing a list of 244 figures who would be commemorated through statues in the park. However, the plan stalled during the Joe Biden administration.
At the end of last year, Congress had allocated US$40 million or Rp700 billion (exchange rate of Rp17,520) for the procurement of the statues included in his executive order. However, providing the budget alone is not enough because approval from several design and planning groups is needed.
The White House spokesman Davis Ingle said the park would be built to reflect the grandeur of the US. However, he did not comment on whether the government is seeking relevant approvals or has awarded contracts for the construction of the statues.
“President Trump continues to beautify and honor our nation’s capital during the historic 250th-anniversary celebration of America,” he said.