“2026: The year America finally completes its transformation into a strip mall vape store.”

The National Park Service introduced that the Washington Monument would function a dramatic lighting makeover in honor of the United States‘ 250th birthday. This marks the start of a year-long celebration of American independence named Freedom 250.

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The new mild present debuted on Dec 31, with projections illuminating the monument each hour from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. But whereas the Monument has been illuminated earlier than, the design decisions this time have stirred blended reactions.

Reactions to the divisive design

The lighting occasion was meant to showcase a “narrative projection,” a part of a sequence of celebrations main as much as the nation’s milestone anniversary. However, the web response has been lower than enthusiastic. Folks on social media rapidly expressed their disappointment with the aesthetic decisions, with some calling it “ugly” and “tacky.”

One individual, @shreyabasu003, didn’t maintain again, saying, “I’m crying this [expletive] is so [expletive] ugly.”

Others, like @Jesse_Brenneman, appeared to view the design as emblematic of a broader cultural shift. “2026: The year America finally completes its transformation into a strip mall vape store,” they tweeted, drawing a connection between the monument’s makeover and neon indicators sometimes seen in cheesy outlets.

The criticism didn’t cease there. @ChrisCooperDC supplied a blunt evaluation, writing, “Garish and gross. Wonder where that came from.”

@vtramenshop No srsly what’s that . . . #fyp #washingtondc #districtofcolumbia #washingtonmonument #newyears ♬ [Nocturne No. 2] Piano Chopin(155315) – racoa_production

A way of frustration additionally got here by way of in @IanMellul‘s tweet, which called out a potential future projection on the monument. “What day do we think they are going to project ‘President Donald J Trump’ or a photograph of Trump on the Washington Monument?”

Similarly, @DECfromOH requested, “Why is everything this admin does so [expletive] TACKY?”

A sarcastic tone prevailed

While some critiques have been critical, others took a extra sarcastic strategy. @JustASaneGirl tweeted a sass-filled evaluation of the monument’s look, saying, “Hey MAGA…aren’t you glad your hard-earned tax dollars are being spent to make the Washington Monument look like a giant neon dildo while your health insurance and groceries are skyrocketing out of control.”

A number of commenters received artistic of their responses. @PollyVinyl1 tweeted, “I would like a word with your graphic designer,” alongside a GIF exhibiting somebody about to slap an individual within the face by way of a cellphone display screen.

@bonobochick summed up their ideas with a easy but efficient critique: “Looking gaudy AF instead of tasteful + dignified. 😖”

Some seen the sunshine projections as a tragic reflection of latest America. @BSnyder937 expressed, “I love theme parks. I love tacky neon [expletive]. Can we not desecrate the Washington Monument like that? Although it does seem a fittingly sad symbol of what America has become…”

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