Trump's construction projects are transforming the capital

NPR | By Kathryn Fink,

Scott Detrow, Janaya Williams

Published September 7, 2026 at 4:32 PM EDT

President Trump is transforming Washington. New York Magazine's Ben Terris says the ballroom, the planned arch and other changes are an attempt to achieve "architectural immortality."

Kathryn Fink

Kathryn Fink is a producer with NPR's All Things Considered.

Scott Detrow

Scott Detrow is a host of All Things Considered, as well as NPR’s daily news podcast Consider This.

See stories by Scott Detrow

Janaya Williams

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