Trump unveils plans for his presidential library as a skyscraper in Miami amid questions about its funding

President Donald Trump has unveiled a first look at his future presidential library, a project that, according to the materials he shared, would be a skyscraper in downtown Miami. The presentation, made via a video shared on his social media platform Truth Social and reposted by his son Eric Trump on X, shows a high-rise building with the president’s surname in gold letters, whose roof would feature a spire illuminated in the colors of the American flag.

The nearly two-minute video offers an ambitious vision of the complex. It features an entrance with a golden arch adorned with the presidential seal, as well as interior spaces that recreate iconic White House settings, including the Oval Office and gardens similar to the Rose Garden. It also showcases aircraft such as Air Force One, along with other artifacts linked to Trump’s political career.

Eric Trump, who is leading the project’s foundation, described the footage as a “first look” at the library and stated: “These images have never been seen by the public.” He added: “This landmark on the water in Miami, Florida will stand as a lasting testament to an amazing man, an amazing developer, and the greatest President our Nation has ever known.”

However, the presentation raises questions about the building’s design. Elements of the video appear to have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it is unclear whether they represent final plans or are merely a preliminary concept. The firm Bermello Ajamil is credited with creating the renderings, but neither the White House nor the developers have provided technical details such as the building’s height, number of floors, or construction schedule.

Furthermore, the project has been surrounded by legal and financial questions. Traditionally, presidential libraries are administered by the National Archives and Records Administration, but in this case, the model appears closer to that of the Barack Obama Center, managed by a private foundation.

An initial fund, financed through Trump’s legal agreements with major corporations, was dissolved in 2025 without publicly detailing the full disposition of those resources. Subsequently, a new organization was created, the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library Foundation, Inc., which has reported receiving tens of millions of dollars in contributions, though it is unclear whether it also controls or incorporated the funds from the previous agreements.

Specifically, part of the funding would come from settlements resulting from lawsuits filed by Trump against companies such as Meta, X, ABC News, and Paramount/CBS, which has fueled questions about the transparency and source of the funding. Tax documents cited by local media also indicate that the foundation aims to raise nearly $1 billion to develop the project.

The land designated for construction, located on a plot of approximately 2.63 acres (about 10,600 square meters) next to Miami’s Freedom Tower, has also sparked controversy. The tower is a historic site where Cuban migrants were processed in the 1960s, adding a symbolic dimension to the chosen location.

Furthermore, the land belonged to Miami-Dade College, and its transfer to the foundation was temporarily blocked by a judge following a lawsuit alleging violations of transparency laws. The process moved forward in January, however, when the college’s board of trustees approved the transfer following a public meeting.

Another Trump Tower

The shared images show how the building would be designed to dominate the city skyline, with views of Biscayne Bay and a height that would surpass nearby structures. The skyscraper would bear the name “Trump” in large gold letters, in keeping with the real estate projects the tycoon developed before entering politics. As president, he has lent his name to all sorts of things, from warships to a ballroom, as well as other buildings. Notably, the Kennedy Center, where his name was added following a controversial board decision that has sparked legal disputes over its validity.

Inside the library/skyscraper, the renderings reinforce the idea of a space centered on the president’s personal image. They include corridors lined with portraits of former presidents, similar to the “Walk of Fame” installed during his term, as well as a replica of the Oval Office featuring gold accents, ornate curtains, and a design inspired by his own renovations to the White House.

Another notable feature is a large atrium that would house several military aircraft. Among them is a luxury Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar, which, according to the White House, would be transferred to the library once Trump leaves office. This element would seek to emulate other presidential libraries that display official aircraft as part of their historical tour.