A model of President Donald Trump's proposed Triumphal Arch, nicknamed the "Arc de Trump," at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall has undergone a questionable refurbishment after its debut last week exposed shoddy construction.
Journalist Amanda Moore posted footage last Sunday showing the model's plywood construction and wrinkling white vinyl separating from the structure. Former CNN journalist Jim Acosta shared a video highlighting large gaps between podiums and the ground. On Wednesday, Moore shared a second video of the arch after its apparent renovation.
Renovation Details and Online Reaction
The updated arch features Corinthian-style columns, but close-ups reveal a yellow, viscous material believed to be polyurethane expanding foam oozing out. Online snark followed, with one X user writing, "Quality work! Just like the Reflecting Pool," alluding to Trump's $14.7 million Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovations. Another added: "Apparently this is a work in progress now. Did they add the columns in the middle of the night?"
HuffPost reached out to Freedom 250, the fair's organizer, for comment but did not immediately hear back. A spokesperson told The Daily Beast the model is "just a replica" and urged outlets to "maybe try celebrating the 250th anniversary and stop writing nonsense articles." The spokesperson added, "The event features everyone from deep blue California and New York to purple states like Colorado, Wisconsin, Arizona, Michigan, Virginia, to red ones. Cover real news."
Attendance Controversy
Trump has been on the defensive over the fair, which honors America's 250th anniversary and runs through July 10. After the June 24 kickoff, he claimed on Truth Social that "at least 45,000 people" attended his opening night speech, a figure disputed by NBC News and The Washington Post. On Monday, he wrote, "Do you think people appreciate what a fantastic job we did in building and operating the Great American State Fair at the National Mall, packed with happy people, and everybody loving it?" He added, "DO YOU THINK THAT OBUMA OR SLEEPY JOE BIDEN COULD HAVE DONE IT? THE ANSWER IS NO!"
