President Donald Trump has overseen the recent gilding of two prominent bronze horse sculptures in Washington, D.C., applying a layer of 23-carat gold leaf valued at nearly £4 million. The statues, known as “Sacrifice” and “Valor,” flank the entrance to Arlington Memorial Bridge and have been a fixture of the city’s landscape since 1951.

Trump shared images of the newly restored sculptures on his social media platform, Truth Social, announcing the removal of scaffolding following the completion of the extensive work. The project represents the most significant refurbishment of the statues since the 1970s, with smaller restoration efforts occurring in 1984 and 2005.

The Department of the Interior described the renovation as “longgggg overdue” on its social media channels, emphasizing the importance of preserving the historical artwork. The statues, created as part of a series titled the Arts of War, hold symbolic significance commemorating military valor and sacrifice.

This initiative follows other recent gold-themed enhancements associated with the president. Earlier this year, Trump unveiled a 22-foot golden statue of himself at one of his Miami golf clubs. Additionally, several gold-trimmed details have been incorporated within the White House, including personalized gold coasters used in the Oval Office.

The restoration of the Arts of War sculptures has attracted attention for both its cost and artistic choices, reflecting a broader trend under Trump’s administration of using gold accents in prominent public and private spaces.