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Trump team deceptively edits reaction to his $5M gilded statues in DC
The Independent • • nation
Key Points:
- The Trump administration edited a White House social media video to highlight only positive reactions to the $5.1 million gilding of the Arts of War and Arts of Peace statues near the Lincoln Memorial, omitting critical opinions.
- Some locals described the statues as "gaudy," "tacky," and overly shiny, questioning the use of funds for the project instead of other public needs.
- The statues, originally bronze gifts from Italy installed in 1951, were covered in nearly 24-karat gold leaf as part of Trump's ongoing $1.2 billion effort to renovate Washington, D.C. landmarks.
- The gilding project follows other controversial renovations, including the resurfacing of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which turned green shortly after work and led to dropped vandalism charges against a former Olympian.
- Trump's preference for lavish gold-themed renovations extends to a proposed $600 million golden ballroom, with significant taxpayer funding anticipated.
