Trump announces plan for ‘promenade’ at Lincoln Memorial — and says it could be named after him

US PRESIDENT DONALD Trump has announced plans to build a new promenade linking the Lincoln Memorial to the Potomac River, and suggested it could end up bearing his name.

Speaking at the White House today during an event about “clean coal”, Trump unveiled the proposal while discussing renovation works around Washington DC, telling reporters: “We’re doing something that just came up, we have a little breaking news here.”

The president said the new walkway would extend from the rear of the iconic memorial towards the river.

“It will be the promenade. They want to call it the Trump Promenade, but I don’t know if I want to do that, but it’s going to be beautiful,” Trump said.

He did not explain who was proposing the name.

Trump claimed the memorial was originally intended to have a stronger connection to the waterfront, but that the project was never completed.

“At the Lincoln Memorial, the front was supposed to be the back, and the back was supposed to be the front,” Trump told reporters.

“It’s going to take the Lincoln Memorial right down to the Potomac, which it was always scheduled to do.”

The announcement is the latest in a series of efforts by Trump to remake parts of the US capital during his second term.

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Among the projects already announced are a new ballroom at the White House, a proposed 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery and extensive renovation works around the National Mall.

Trump has also repeatedly sought to attach his name to major public projects and institutions.

Earlier this year, he attempted to rename Washington’s Kennedy Center after himself, although a federal judge later ruled that his name must be removed from the venue.

The president used today’s event to highlight his work on the city’s landmarks, including the restoration of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

“The water is pouring in as we speak … nice, clean water,” Trump said.

Trump has previously boasted about the scale of the reflecting pool, even displaying a chart comparing it to famous skyscrapers under the heading: “Our Pool is Bigger than Skyscrapers” (the pool is horizontal, while the skyscrapers are vertical).

The proposed promenade is likely to face scrutiny and potential legal challenges, with several of Trump’s Washington redevelopment plans already the subject of lawsuits.

“It’s going to be beautiful,” Trump said of the project.

Additional reporting from AFP

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