Donald Trump has a plan for a "triumphal arch" that will be named after him, and the president's niece is not happy.
According to the New York Times in an article called "What to Know About Trump’s Plan for a Triumphal Arch in Washington," President Trump "has proposed construction of an arch in the style of the Arc de Triomphe in Washington in the lead-up to the nation’s 250th anniversary."
His niece, trained psychologist Mary Trump, had something to say about it in a video on Substack.
"Are we still shocked? Really? Are we still shocked that a man as despicable and craven and greedy and grifty and destructive as Donald Trump would be all of the things he is? Are we still shocked that he would have the audacity and the complete lack of self-awareness to announce that he is ordering a triumphal arch to be built and placed at the entrance of the Memorial Bridge that leads from Arlington National Cemetery to the Lincoln Memorial, in honor of the 250th anniversary of the founding of this country?" she asked. "No, no--in honor of him. Are we shocked that he calls it the 'Arc de Trump?' That makes me want to die of shame, quite frankly. Although, potential bright side—someday, if we survive, we might be able to repurpose it, so that’ll be fun."
Mary Trump goes on to argue that, because we know what her uncle will do, it is best to focus on those around him instead.
"We have to shift our focus. Donald is going to keep getting away with anything he can get away with. This is his MO from time immemorial. Push the envelope; see how far he can continue to push the envelope. If he gets away with it, push it further," she said. "Instead, we have to turn our attention to the people who are allowing all of this to happen. We can be deeply, deeply embarrassed that Donald stood in front of the world with his tiny arches and claimed that the arch was being built for him and named after him right and will be placed right near Arlington National Cemetery."
Mary Trump further asked, "Who is allowing all of this to happen?"
She also tied in the government shutdown to help make her point.
"Because who can be bothered with the fact that people have been furloughed and aren’t getting their paychecks? who can be bothered that essential workers are being expected to show up to work without pay. Who can be bothered? Donald has a White House to destroy and a ballroom to build and a triumphal arch to put up. He’s busy," she said.