During a Thursday meeting with Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, cameras recorded a model of a triumphal arch on Donald Trump’s desk, igniting speculation about plans for a Washington project.
Arch Model on Trump’s Desk Sparks Speculation
Cameras captured a model of a triumphal arch on Donald Trump’s desk during a Thursday meeting with Finland’s President Alexander Stubb. The arch features a golden angel holding a torch and two white eagles.
Axios queried, “Could the president be planning to build the most ambitious structure in Washington?” while TVN24 noted that the model resembles a sketch shared by Nicolas Leo Charbonneau, an employee of Harrison Design.
Charbonneau posted a photo of the arch on the same site as Trump’s model—around the Lincoln Memorial on the Potomac River—aligning it with the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence to be celebrated next year. The White House has not yet responded to the reports.
US‑Finland Icebreaker Agreement Signed
During a visit to the White House, President Alexander Stubb and Prime Minister Petteri Orpo signed an agreement that Finnish shipyards will build 11 icebreakers for the United States.
The U.S. Coast Guard will purchase four Arctic safety vessels in Finland, after which the United States will use Finnish expertise to construct seven new vessels domestically. The project will cost over $6 billion, with the first icebreaker slated for delivery in 2028.
Donald Trump emphasized the favorable price, claimed the deal would give America the best icebreakers worldwide, and stated that Finland has a worldwide monopoly on building such vessels. He also noted that the U.S. would defend Finland if Russia issued an attack order, though he added the likelihood of such an event is low.
