Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Miles Archer

(21,791 posts)
Sun Jun 1, 2025, 04:29 AM Jun 2025

Trump's proposed $34 million "gaudy tourist attraction built to whitewash history" is "already being sued"

You’d struggle to find a more perfect metaphor to capture Donald Trump’s brash, self-aggrandizing modus operandi than the proposed National Garden of American Heroes, a gaudy tourist attraction built to whitewash history using tens of millions in funding stripped from actual historical conservation and scholarship programs. The icing on the cake here is that it is already being sued.

The garden has been the source of much derisive humor, but still looked to be going according to plan, opening to coincide with the nation’s 250th birthday celebrations in July 2026. Now, experts have poured cold water on the idea, claiming that it’s fundamentally impractical.

The issues lie in the capacity for the American sculpting sector to actually undertake the work. White House communications in the executive orders passed to get the project done demand fine, realistic depictions of such figures as Abraham Lincoln or Martin Luther King Jr. There are fewer than 70 workshops capable of undertaking such work in the United States, and most of them are booked out six to 18 months in advance.

“You’d be flooding the capacity of artists in this country who do that kind of stuff, and the capacity of foundries,” said Dylan Farnum, former head of one of the nation’s top fine-art sculptors.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/donald-trumps-34-million-american-heroes-garden-is-already-facing-major-hurdles/

9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Trump's proposed $34 million "gaudy tourist attraction built to whitewash history" is "already being sued" (Original Post) Miles Archer Jun 2025 OP
Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid dollars going to this monstrosity. no_hypocrisy Jun 2025 #1
They built one decades ago, its rotting Historic NY Jun 2025 #2
Incredible! LearnedHand Jun 2025 #3
Money is no object for Trump's vanity projects. Irish_Dem Jun 2025 #4
...as long as it's someone else's money. regnaD kciN Jun 2025 #5
Trump loves wasting taxpayer money. Irish_Dem Jun 2025 #7
The unstated raison d'etre of which marybourg Jun 2025 #6
He's only doing this so a Trump statue can be installed in the most prominent spot. Gold, of course. Vinca Jun 2025 #8
The guy who did the small "fight fight fight" statue he has on display in the oval office... Miles Archer Jun 2025 #9

LearnedHand

(5,241 posts)
3. Incredible!
Sun Jun 1, 2025, 05:09 AM
Jun 2025

I never knew about this. What a perfect metaphor for this current "heroes garden."

marybourg

(13,589 posts)
6. The unstated raison d'etre of which
Sun Jun 1, 2025, 06:23 AM
Jun 2025

is to provide a venue for a statue of the stable genius himself.

Vinca

(53,354 posts)
8. He's only doing this so a Trump statue can be installed in the most prominent spot. Gold, of course.
Sun Jun 1, 2025, 06:43 AM
Jun 2025

Miles Archer

(21,791 posts)
9. The guy who did the small "fight fight fight" statue he has on display in the oval office...
Sun Jun 1, 2025, 08:50 AM
Jun 2025

...is reportedly working on a 9 foot tall version. So there's your answer.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Trump's proposed $34 mill...