Trump’s ‘Giants of Our Past’ Sculpture Garden Plan in Jeopardy as July 4 Deadline Looms Large

President Donald Trump's plans for the country's 250th anniversary on July 4 may not come to fruition.

According to reports, the president intends to erect 250 statues of prominent Americans who have had a positive impact on society in a sculpture garden ahead of the special occasion on July 4.

The initiative is still awaiting approval from relevant authorities, and the project remains unlikely to be completed on time, according to sources familiar with the project.

However, the sources also reportedly fear that the Trump administration may proceed with the project without waiting for official approval.

According to CNN, the Trump administration plans to build 250 statues of renowned figures, including Kobe Bryant, Elvis Presley and Rosa Parks, among others, in a sculpture garden on the occasion of United States' 250th anniversary.

However, anonymous insiders have reportedly stated that the July 4 timeline may make the project impractical.

"It has not been formally reviewed," an insider said, adding, "Based on my experience in prior approvals in the District, I don't see how this could be in place in time by July."

Reports state that the Trump administration previously contacted foundries and artists around the country for the project.

However, those who applied to create the "massive classical-style sculptures" said they had not heard back from Cabinet members.

Initially, the project did not have a specific spot to place the statues, but later, the White House identified the West Potomac Park as an ideal location to place the figurines.

Sources said that the West Potomac Park has been considered because of its scenic views of Washington's cherry blossoms and the picturesque Potomac River.

The location, however, has reportedly not been finalized and is subject to change.

Another source said that they feared the sculpture garden "will be rammed through without approval" from Congress or the relevant commission, drawing a comparison to the process surrounding the White House ballroom project.

The project was reportedly not discussed at a Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) meeting, and the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) was not informed of the upcoming review.

The CNN report notes that the initiative is a passion project for the president.

The idea was first pitched at a political speech during Trump's first presidential term. At the time, the president had announced plans for a monument "to the giants of our past" — a massive outdoor park featuring statues of historically significant Americans.

The White House issued an executive order calling for the creation of a National Garden of American Heroes to open before July 4, 2026.

However, the initiative faced a number of setbacks, including when former President Joe Biden revoked the executive order in 2021.

During his second presidential term, Trump secured funding for the project through the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

The NEH and NEA jointly contributed $34 million for the project, with the NEA's share amounting to $17 million.

As all 250 statues will not be ready before July 4, the administration has revised its target to deliver between 25 and 50 statues for an Independence Day unveiling, with the remaining statues to be added in subsequent years.

It currently remains unclear whether any artists have begun work on the sculptures.