President Donald Trump has added a new, towering feature to the White House grounds: two 88-foot-tall flagpoles, one installed on the North Lawn and the other on the South Lawn, calling them a personal gift to the American people and a patriotic enhancement to the historic property.
Installation began early on the morning of June 18, with the first U.S. flag raised around 1 p.m. during a brief ceremony on the South Lawn. Trump was joined by Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, who were at the White House for the swearing-in of Charles Kushner, Jared’s father, as the U.S. Ambassador to France.
“How do you like it, everybody?” Trump asked reporters as the flag reached the top of the newly installed pole.
Shortly afterward, the second flagpole was erected on the North Lawn, though weather conditions — including thunderstorms and lightning — prevented the flag from being raised the same day.
A Gift from the President
Trump emphasized that the installation was personally funded, stating that each flagpole cost approximately $50,000. He described them as a long-overdue addition to the White House.
“It is a GIFT from me of something which was always missing from this magnificent place,” Trump wrote on social media. “Hopefully, they will proudly stand at both sides of the White House for many years to come!”
Presidents traditionally leave their own aesthetic mark on the White House. Trump, known for his background in real estate and branding, has shown particular interest in the symbolic presentation of the executive residence. Earlier this week, the White House replaced a bust of Martin Luther King Jr. in the Oval Office with one of Winston Churchill, a move that also attracted attention.
More Changes to Come?
Trump has floated other changes to the White House during his second term, including the potential construction of a new ballroom — a project he said would elevate the White House’s capacity to host state and ceremonial events.
When asked what inspired the flagpole additions, Trump said he originally considered the idea during his first term but claimed “media distractions” prevented him from acting sooner.
“I was the hunted. And now I’m the hunter,” he told reporters. “It’s a big difference.”
A Statement of Patriotism
While critics may view the installations as yet another example of Trump’s flair for spectacle, supporters see the massive flagpoles as a bold statement of patriotism and permanence.
Whether the poles become a lasting fixture or simply a symbolic marker of Trump’s second term, their sheer height and prominent placement ensure they will be among the most visible and talked-about changes to the White House landscape in recent history.
