Plans for Gaudy 50-Storey Trump Presidential Library in Miami Spark Ridicule
Ambitious plans for a 50-storey, gold-clad Donald Trump presidential library in Miami have been unveiled, drawing swift mockery on social media for its ostentatious design. A video tour posted online reveals a gargantuan structure decked in Trump's trademark gold, including a giant statue of the former president.
Unveiling of the Proposed Structure
The 1 minute 40 second video, set entirely to music, showcases the proposed library towering above Miami's skyline. It will feature Air Force One, the $400 million Boeing "flying palace" gifted to Trump by Qatar, displayed in its cavernous lobby. The building will overshadow nearby structures, including the historic Miami Freedom Tower, a long-standing symbol of American rejection of oppression and tyranny.
Eric Trump, the former president's son and co-chair of the non-profit foundation seeking donations for the project, enthusiastically promoted the plans on social media. He described it as "a lasting testament to an amazing man, an amazing developer, and the greatest President our Nation has ever known."
Mixed Reactions and Mockery
While many Trump supporters praised the rendering in comments, other responses were more critical. The press office of California's Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom posted photographs of giant shining effigies of other world leaders, mocking the design with the words: "The gold statue in Trump's new library (of himself) looks awfully familiar to a few others from around the world."
Author and media personality Rutger Bregman also seized on the imagery, comparing it to religious idolatry. He wrote: "A golden statue in a temple where the faithful gather to worship their idol. But enough about the Book of Exodus – here's Trump's Presidential Library!"
Controversial Land Transfer and Construction Timeline
The video gave no indication of a timeline for construction, which is expected to begin after Trump leaves office in January 2029. However, the valuable waterfront land for the library already belongs to Eric Trump's foundation, following a highly controversial transfer from Miami-Dade College last year.
A federal judge initially blocked the transaction after opponents argued the college did not provide sufficient advance notice for a public meeting approving the deal. The ruling was later overturned, and college trustees voted again to cede the land to the state of Florida, which then handed it to Eric Trump.
Local historian and retired Miami-Dade College professor Marvin Dunn, who brought the lawsuit, criticized the move, telling CBS News: "It's a land giveaway to the Trump Library Foundation. Who is the Trump Library Foundation? Eric Trump, his wife, and some dude lawyer."
Additional Features and Local Impact
Plans for the library also include an amphitheater, along with re-creations of the Oval Office and the contentious new ballroom Trump is building on the site of the demolished East Wing of the White House. Eric Trump asserted in a statement to the Miami Herald: "Miami deserves this building. It will be a masterpiece, the likes of which have never been seen in Florida or really anywhere."
The release of these plans coincided with Florida's Republican Governor Ron DeSantis signing a law to rename Palm Beach International Airport, near Trump's Mar-a-Lago home, to President Donald J Trump International Airport. This dual celebration of Trump's legacy in Florida highlights the ongoing political and cultural divisions surrounding his presidency.
