The president remains laser-focused on desecrating Washington, D.C.’s most venerated structures
The war against Iran is continuing, the affordability crisis is worsening, and the Republican Party’s chances to retain control of Congress in November are looking increasingly grim. Donald Trump, meanwhile, is laser-focused on renovating Washington, D.C. The president mused on Wednesday evening about “ripping down” the Kennedy Center if the courts don’t let him put his name on it, and a few hours later posted an image of the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial surrounded by construction equipment and coated in gold.
The Marine Corps War Memorial depicts one of the most iconic images from World War II: U.S. troops raising an American flag following the Battle of Iwo Jima. It’s a symbol of American perseverance, but the memorial is meant to remember the Marines who have died in battle. “In honor and in memory of the men of the United States Marine Corps who have given their lives to their country since November 10, 1775,” an inscription reads.
In other words, this isn’t about glitz, and it goes without saying that Trump gilding the statue would be deeply offensive to many of the men and women who served. “If he tries to paint that gold I will storm the Capitol,” the former Marine and editor of MediasTouch, wrote on X.
It wouldn’t be surprising in the least if Trump does indeed try to renovate the memorial. He has already covered the Oval Office in tawdry gold decoration, and gilded the Arts of War statues next to the Lincoln Memorial. He has also torn down the East Wing of the White House to build a gaudy ballroom, handed out a no-bid contract to a company who admitted last week that they botched resurfacing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, and proposed a “Triumphal Arch” that the administration had said will have “adverse effects” on surrounding historical monuments, including the Arlington National Cemetery.
The “Donald J. Trump U.S Marine Corps War Memorial” could be next.