Trump Reveals Restored Arts of War Sculpture
President Donald Trump showcased the recently gold-plated Arts of War sculpture in Washington, D.C., as workers began taking down the scaffolding that had concealed the striking monument for several months during its restoration.
“We are removing the scaffolding around the plated Arts of War sculpture!” Trump shared on Truth Social, along with images of the workers carefully dismantling the structures surrounding the grand statue situated near the Lincoln Memorial.
Exclusive footage from Fox News showed the final pieces of scaffolding being taken down, unveiling the shimmering golden horses and figures that grace the impressive granite pedestal.
The Arts of War sculpture is located next to the east entrance of the Arlington Memorial Bridge, just west of the Lincoln Memorial. It is accompanied by the Arts of Peace sculpture nearby along Parkway Drive. Both monuments feature a gilded bronze horse or figure atop a massive granite base, as noted in research by MTFA Design.
President Trump is framing D.C.’s transformation as a sign that America is moving past “rejection by choice.”
This restoration is part of an ongoing project managed by the National Park Service. A study from 2018 indicated that copper runoff from the aging bronze had left unsightly purple stains on the granite base, necessitating specialized cleaning and re-plating work.
The area surrounding the restoration was temporarily closed starting July 2 to ensure the safety of visitors and workers while the project progressed. This restriction is expected to last until September 30, although the National Park Service intends to reopen it sooner if possible.
Despite these closures, the sidewalks next to the restoration site and leading to the Memorial Bridge remain open to the public, and no road closures were necessary for the project.
As workers continue the extensive restoration efforts, parts of the park will stay partially restricted until all construction equipment is removed.
In the months leading up to this, the monument had been largely obscured by scaffolding, protective tarps, and fences. Trump’s photos and the exclusive video from Fox News provide a clearer view of the sculpture, now revealed with a new gold finish just in time for the country’s 250th anniversary.
The White House has yet to respond to inquiries regarding this development.
