In brief
A $5.1 million project saw the 23.75‑karat gold makeover of the Arts of War horse statues by the Lincoln Memorial. BBC crews asked locals what they thought of the shimmering upgrade. Their responses paint a vivid picture of city residents’ views on public art spending and historic preservation. From enthusiastic praise to critical eyebrows, the footage highlights how a luxury gold coat can stir conversation about budget priorities and civic pride. Explore the clip and read what visitors had to say about the newly gilded statues.
The Trump Administration poured just over 23.75‑karat gold onto Washington DC’s iconic “Arts of War” horse statues that guard the steps near the Lincoln Memorial. The 600‑square‑foot castings received a shiny new coat of gold that cost federal taxpayers $5.1 million.
BBC reporters hit the public plaza to ask residents, students and tourists what they thought about the newly gilded statues. In a handful of brief video clips, people expressed everything from delight to bewildered confusion.
On the scene, a clipboard‑bearing reporter asked a local business owner: “Did you notice the gold? Does it make the statue more important?” “Yeah, it’s like a glittering upgrade for a historic piece. It feels cooler to look at,” the owner replied.
Other visitors, especially younger crowds such as college students, commented that they “think it looks flashy” and how the spending makes them question if money could be better used elsewhere. One student noted, “Maybe we should donate to art pop‑ups instead of gilding monuments.”
The videos, shot by Meiying Wu, showcase varying emotions tied to public art and federal budgets. They also emphasize how quick visual changes can ignite lively debates online and in real life.
The film captures the essence of a city that is constantly evolving and the diverse voices that shape its cultural dialogue.
