President Donald Trump offered Americans a first look at the newly regilded Arts of War sculptures in Washington, D.C., as crews began removing the towering scaffolding that concealed the iconic golden horses during months of restoration work."Taking down the scaffolding around the regilded Arts of War sculptures!" Trump wrote on Truth Social, sharing photographs of workers carefully dismantling the structure surrounding the massive monument near the Lincoln Memorial.Exclusive Fox News video captured workers removing the final sections of scaffolding, revealing the gleaming gold horses and figures that crown the monumental granite pedestals.The Arts of War sculptures flank the eastern entrance to Arlington Memorial Bridge just west of the Lincoln Memorial, while their companion Arts of Peace sculptures sit nearby along Parkway Drive.Each monument features gilded bronze horses and human figures mounted atop massive granite bases, according to a study by MTFA Design.TOP TRUMP OFFICIAL TOUTS HOW DC MAKEOVER IS PROOF AMERICA IS REJECTING 'DECLINE BY CHOICE'A worker stands between the newly regilded legs of an Arts of War horse statue as scaffolding is removed during restoration work near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., in this image shared by President Donald Trump on Truth Social.
(President Donald Trump/Truth Social)The restoration is part of an ongoing National Park Service preservation project.According to the same 2018 study, the granite pedestals had developed extensive purple staining caused by copper runoff from the aging bronze sculptures, prompting specialized cleaning and stabilization work in addition to regilding.The agency temporarily closed surrounding lawn and turf areas beginning July 2 to protect visitors, workers and the historic monuments while construction continues.
The restrictions are scheduled to remain in effect through Sept.30, though the National Park Service said areas will reopen as soon as the work no longer requires them to r...