President Donald Trump said he does not expect anyone to continue building monuments to him after he leaves office, confirming in a recent interview that he is behind a number of high-profile construction plans in Washington, DC.
Asked by New York Magazine about projects described as monuments, including a “triumphal arch”, Trump said the idea was straightforward: he is building them for himself and believes successors will not maintain the effort.
“That’s true,” Trump said. “Nobody will do it once I’m gone. When I leave here, nobody will.”
White House Projects Draw Internal Warnings
Trump’s second-term focus has been heavily centred on construction at the White House, including a new ballroom and other related work. Some congressional Republicans and advisers have expressed concern that the attention on the ballroom could make it harder for the party to stay on message for the midterm elections, and could undermine election prospects, New York Magazine reported.
Trump, however, portrayed the work differently when speaking to the magazine.
“The people should be thankful,” he said, adding that he had considered opposition to doing the interview but said he was “proud of the work” he was carrying out.
Security Claims Used To Justify The Ballroom
Trump has argued that the White House ballroom is needed for national security, pointing to proposed changes intended to strengthen protection. In his account to the magazine, the plan includes a drone port on the roof, an underground bunker and bulletproof windows.
The administration is also preparing a separate, larger construction project. According to the report, ground is expected to be broken on a 250-foot arch near Arlington National Cemetery within the next two weeks.
While Trump did not dispute that the projects were personal in nature, the administration and Trump have repeatedly linked the work to security needs, including the upgrades described for the White House.
Legacy And What Will Remain
In an earlier report from CNN, sources described Trump’s motivation as being closely tied to his legacy. They said the president’s priorities ultimately rest on what he believes will endure beyond his term.
One source close to Trump told CNN in May that the key point was that Trump’s buildings would not be torn down. The source said that even if successors reversed policies, the ballroom would likely remain, while highlighting the East Wing as a lasting physical mark associated with Trump.
“The one thing they can’t tear down will be the East Wing. That is his lasting impact. That’s why he cares so deeply,” the source said, according to CNN, using the phrase “legacy sh*t”.
Trump’s latest comments reinforced that view of durability, while also indicating that he expects no further monument-building once he has left the White House.
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5 September 2026
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