President Donald Trump apparently departed China with his head buzzing with the splendor he encountered on his state visit.
As he sat on Air Force One on his way home, the president trumpeted his plans to build a National Garden of American Heroes alongside the Potomac River to honor historic and celebrated figures such as George Washington, Elvis Presley and Kobe Bryant, and he wants work to begin by the United States' 250th birthday on July 4.
"This magnificent exhibition of statues will be located in West Potomac Park, which we are transforming into one of the World's most beautiful public spaces," Trump posted shortly after the plane took off from Beijing. "Right now, it is a totally BARREN field of Prime Waterfront Real Estate along our Mighty Potomac River."
"When finished, West Potomac Park will be a World Class Masterpiece with elegant Landscaping, and adorned with Beautiful Statues, and be yet another one of my great projects to make Washington, D.C., the Safest and Most Beautiful Capital in the World," the president added. "The National Garden of American Heroes will feature the MOST BEAUTIFUL collection of statues of AMERICAN HEROES, featuring our Illustrious Founding Fathers, Military Warriors, Religious Leaders, Civil Rights Champions, World Class Athletes, Artists, Entertainers, and MORE."
Trump was seemingly dazzled by his tours of the Great Hall of the People and Tiananmen Square on his visit, and the longtime real estate developer was inspired to add similar projects to his wide-ranging efforts to remake the U.S. capital to his personal specifications.
"The people of America (and the World!) will come here to learn and be inspired by the 'Greats,'" Trump posted.
West Potomac Park isn't "totally barren," as Trump claims, but is a national park that's already the site of national landmarks such as the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, the George Mason Memorial, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum revealed a new rendering Thursday of the administration's plans for renovations to the nearby East Potomac Golf Links, which he said would be overseen by Fazio Design, a company that has designed multiple courses owned by the Trump Organization.
Trump also hyped a forthcoming book, “All American Patriotism: Celebrating 250 Years of America’s Greatness,” written by Fox News personality Rachel Campos-Duffy, which he pointed out had been dedicated to him, and touted a widely criticized gold statue of himself erected at his Trump National Doral golf course in Miami.
"This is a statue, now standing at Doral, that was commissioned by a large group of political supporters who just wanted a statue of yours truly," Trump posted. "I very much appreciate their support, and all that they went through to get it done! They are very good people. Those playing the Blue Monster, at Doral, are absolutely in love with it. Congratulations to all involved. With time, it will become a Landmark! President DJT."
The president capped off his wheels-up posting spree with a jealous defense of his controversial White House ballroom.
"China has a Ballroom, and so should the U.S.A.!" he posted. "It’s under construction, ahead of schedule, and will be the finest facility of its kind anywhere in the U.S.A. Thank you for all the support I have been given in getting this project going. Scheduled opening will be around September of 2028. The man I am walking with is President Xi, of China, one of the World’s Great Leaders!"
Social media users noticed the president had been captivated by the pageantry his hosts had shown to him.
"Trump suffering from some serious dictator envy over in China," noted The New Republic's Greg Sargent.
