In 2020, then-President Donald Trump proposed an ambitious plan: a sprawling $34 million National Garden of American Heroes. The idea was to create a monument that would celebrate a diverse group of influential American figures—everyone from George Washington and Harriet Tubman to Kobe Bryant and Antonin Scalia. But now, the project has hit a significant roadblock, casting doubt on whether the so-called “heroes’ garden” will ever take root.
What Was Trump’s ‘Heroes’ Garden?
Unveiled in the final months of his presidency, Trump’s garden proposal aimed to be “a vast outdoor park that will feature the statues of the greatest Americans to ever live.” The list of honorees spanned historical, political, sports, and cultural figures. The $34 million plan was framed as a patriotic counter-response to the removal of Confederate statues and other controversial monuments across the country.
It wasn’t just a political gesture—it was a formal executive order. Trump signed it in July 2020, ordering the garden’s completion by July 4, 2026, to align with the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Why the Project Has Stalled
The major setback? The Biden administration quietly canceled the project in 2021 by revoking Trump’s executive order. Since then, no federal funds have been allocated, no land has been cleared, and no construction has begun.
The setback reflects a deeper ideological divide over public monuments and what stories they should tell. While Trump’s vision was about preserving what he saw as traditional American values, critics argued that the project was more about symbolism than substance—an attempt to rally a cultural base rather than respond to actual public demand.
Public and Political Reaction
Reactions to the garden were always mixed. Supporters viewed it as a necessary reminder of American greatness, especially at a time when many statues were being taken down. Detractors called it performative politics, questioning the lack of public input and the randomness of the people selected to be honored.
With no official updates in years and the Biden administration showing no intention of reviving the effort, the future of the ‘heroes’ garden looks grim. At this point, it’s not just delayed—it’s dormant.
What Comes Next?
As of now, there’s no movement to resurrect the project, either privately or publicly. Trump has occasionally referenced the idea during speeches, but without government support or clear private backing, the National Garden of American Heroes remains more of a political footnote than a pending reality.
For now, Trump’s $34 million dream is just that—a dream. The heroes’ garden has become another stalled legacy project, wrapped in symbolism but stuck in limbo.
