The Trump administration is spending $5 million in taxpayer funds to restore four bronze statues near the Lincoln Memorial, regilding them with nearly pure gold leaf ahead of America’s 250th anniversary. The project was fast-tracked for a July 4 deadline, whil
Work crews moving ahead of a deadline is one thing. Watching a $5 million taxpayer-funded regilding effort race forward for July 4 is another—especially when it comes with a broader, gold-heavy makeover of Washington, D.C., in the run-up to America’s 250th anniversary.
The Trump administration is spending $5 million to restore four bronze statues near the Lincoln Memorial and coat them with nearly pure gold. The statues will receive 23.75-karat gold leaf as part of a contract awarded in April to Maryland-based The Gilders’ Studio. The National Park Service fast-tracked the agreement without a full competitive bidding process, citing a tight July 4 deadline.
Among the works are the towering Arts of War and Arts of Peace statues. They were originally constructed in 1951 and have spent decades dealing with structural deterioration and corrosion problems. Repairs carried out in the 1970s failed to fully resolve the damage, setting the stage for this latest restoration push.
The gold leaf isn’t just a cosmetic choice—it’s part of a wider $95 million renovation campaign tied to President Donald Trump’s effort to overhaul the nation’s capital ahead of the 250th. Planned upgrades reportedly include marble repaving, fountain restorations, and renovations to parks and public spaces across Washington.
In a statement shared with The Daily Beast. an Interior Department spokesperson framed the regilding as part of a promise to improve the city’s look and safety. “President Donald J. Trump is fulfilling his commitment to make D.C. Safe and Beautiful as shown by record low crime rates and renovations to fountains and parks across the capital. ” the spokesperson said. The spokesperson added, “The Arts of War statues are currently being regilded ahead of our nation’s 250th. This is the first time in 50 years these statues have been regilded.”.
That same campaign is rolling forward on other high-profile projects—some involving significant costs. The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool makeover has ballooned from $1.8 million to $13.1 million. Other projects underway include multimillion-dollar renovations to Freedom Plaza. Meridian Hill Park. and Logan Circle. along with restoration work on fountains near the National Mall and marble paving around the Simón Bolívar statue.
The reflecting pool work has also drawn scrutiny after The New York Times reported unusually steep contractor profit margins and overhead costs.
The White House’s own refresh is adding another layer to the picture. White House interiors are receiving elaborate gold-themed redesigns. with the Oval Office and Cabinet Room undergoing extensive gold-themed changes featuring gold-plated moldings. ornate trim. framed portraits. gilded mirrors. and decorative medallions.
The Defense for the reflecting pool spending has followed the same timing-focused logic used to justify other acceleration measures. Trump initially claimed the reflecting pool project would cost $1.8 million and take one or two weeks to complete. Instead, it stretched beyond a month, and total costs rose to $13.1 million. An Interior Department spokesperson told The Daily Beast that. “The contract price reflects the effort necessary to expedite the timeline of completing the leak prevention coating project — more people. more materials. more equipment and longer hours ahead of our 250th.”.
Trump administration Lincoln Memorial gold leaf Arts of War Arts of Peace The Gilders’ Studio National Park Service 250th anniversary Washington DC renovation Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Freedom Plaza Meridian Hill Park Logan Circle Simón Bolívar statue Interior Department spokesperson