Ryan Bort
Contact Ryan Bort on X View all posts by Ryan Bort September 17, 2026 Add us as a Google Preferred Source
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The U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, on Sept. 26, 2025, in Arlington, Va. J. David Ake/Getty Images The war against Iran is continuing, the affordability crisis is worsening, and the Republican Party’s chances to retain control of Congress in November are looking increasingly grim. Donald Trump, meanwhile, is laser-focused on renovating Washington, D.C. The president mused on Wednesday evening about “ripping down” the Kennedy Center if the courts don’t let him put his name on it, and a few hours later posted an image of the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial surrounded by construction equipment and coated in gold.
New media post from Donald J. Trump ( TS: Sep 16 2026, 11:23 PM ET ) pic.twitter.com/ZaVcMm8zcP
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) September 17, 2026
The Marine Corps War Memorial depicts one of the most iconic images from World War II: U.S. troops raising an American flag following the Battle of Iwo Jima. It’s a symbol of American perseverance, but the memorial is meant to remember the Marines who have died in battle. “In honor and in memory of the men of the United States Marine Corps who have given their lives to their country since November 10, 1775,” an inscription reads.
In other words, this isn’t about glitz, and it goes without saying that Trump gilding the statue would be deeply offensive to many of the men and women who served. “If he tries to paint that gold I will storm the Capitol,” the former Marine and editor of MediasTouch, wrote on X.
