Towering statues of a caricatured Donald Trump and other politically charged symbols have popped up in major cities across the US – each one a sharp jab at the former president.
The satirical sculptures have gone viral, sparking controversy and turning heads – just days ahead of a supercharged US presidential election.
From depictions of Trump leading the infamous January 6 riots to mocking his numerous legal battles over sexual assault, the many statues have taken form in DC, Philadelphia and Portland,
The first of four ridiculing sculptures appeared last Thursday as an unusual, should-be foul smelling bronze sculpture materialized on the National Mall in Washington DC.
The sculpture, titled ‘The Resolute Desk’ depicts a replica of former White House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s desk, topped with expected keepsakes including her nameplate, a landline telephone, Post-it Notes, folders and an unexpected, perfectly swirled, pile of poop.
With aim to pay ironic tribute to those who stormed the Capitol on January 6, the plaque placed on the viral sculpture reads: ‘This memorial honors the brave men and women who broke into the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021 to loot, urinate and defecate throughout those hallowed halls in order to overturn an election.’
‘President Trump celebrates these heroes of January 6th as “unbelievable patriots” and “warriors,”‘ the poop statue plaque adds.
‘This monument stands as a testament to their daring sacrifice and lasting legacy.’
The installation stands in direct view of the building that supporters of former President stormed, causing a reported $1.5 million in damages and members of Congress have since said that participants urinated and defecated inside the historical building.
Four days after the ‘poop’ sculpture, another, much taller, parodical tribute to the Republican presidential nominee emerged just a half-mile away.
Standing just over eight feet tall, a hand holding a tiki torch atop a stone column can be seen at DC’s Freedom Plaza, with another satirical plaque to accompany it.
The bronze-colored sculpture is titled ‘The Donald J. Trump Enduring Flame’ and reads: ‘This monument pays tribute to President Donald Trump and the “very fine people” he boldly stood to defend when they marched in Charlottesville, Virginia.’
‘While many have called them white supremacists and neo-Nazis, President Trump’s voice rang out above the rest to remind all that they were “treated absolutely unfairly.”
This monument stands as an everlasting reminder of that bold proclamation,’ the plaque continued citing quotes directly from a press conference three days after the deadly ‘Unite the Right’ rally.
The disturbing rally included some of the country’s most radical groups who marched in protest of the city council’s decision to remove a memorial statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee.
Both DC sculptures are said to be creations of the same maker, Julia Jimenez of Civic Crafting LLC.
Jimenez’s LLC reportedly received permits from the National Park Service to display the statue until Wednesday evening, but later extended it an extra week through the evening of November 6 – the day after Election Day.
Like the perfectly swirled poop statue, the torch refers to Trump’s controversial role in recent history that Democrats have used against him as he runs for reelection.
The public art movement has since traveled to the West Coast as another ridiculing statue appeared in Portland, Oregon, this time making a mockery of the former President’s sexual assault allegations.
An intentionally placed large gold-colored statue took form in the ‘Rip City’ near a statue of a naked woman.
The statue, a Trump-sized replica, depicts him holding his right hand out displaying a crude gesture.
Miraculously appearing overnight, it was then quickly removed by Portland city workers – but not before it was brutally vandalized.
The life-sized Trump statue was beheaded just hours after its discovery and onlookers also appear to have torn off the flimsy plaque paired with it.
Days later, yet another similar statue appeared in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s Maja Park.
This one, also placed near a statue of a nude woman is titled, ‘In honor of a lifetime of sexual assault,’ and reads: ‘I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait. And when you’re a star they let you do it. You can do anything.’
The quote is from Trump’s 2005 interview with Billy Bush of Access Hollywood – but his words were reportedly ‘not meant to be aired.’
Both statues had no signature and were not immediately spoken for.
The satirical tributes are not the first time the billionaire has been the focus of public art. Ahead of the 2020 election, another artist erected several statues, again paying satirical tribute to the defamed former President.
