Four horse statues in Washington, D.C., are about to get the Midas touch — and taxpayers are footing the bill.
According to a report from NOTUS published on Thursday, May 28, PresidentDonald Trump has approved a $5 million project to cover the historic bronze sculptures known as the Arts of War and Arts of Peace near the Lincoln Memorial in 23.75-karat gold.
“President Donald J. Trump is fulfilling his commitment to make D.C. Safe and Beautiful as shown by record low crime rates and renovations to fountains and parks across the capital,” an Interior Department representative said in a statement to The Daily Beast.
“The Arts of War statues are currently being regilded ahead of our nation’s 250. This is the first time in 50 years these statues have been regilded,” the spokesperson added.
Roman SUZUKI / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
Unsurprisingly, the news didn’t go over well on social media with one person on X saying the project was “Let them eat cake coded,” referencing the famous phrase attributed to Marie Antoinette and suggesting the spending was out of touch.
“He’s always so tacky. Bronze is more elegant and timeless than tasteless gold leaf,” another person added. “He’s making our carefully designed capital look like a cheap Atlantic City casino. Absolute white trash.”
A third person wrote, “No food, healthcare, education, gasoline or diesel. But hey, gold plating existing bronze statues and the White House?? All good Eh?”
D.C. residents won’t have to wait long to see the golden horses for themselves. The upgrade is set to be completed ahead of America’s 250th birthday this summer.