In Pictures: Weirdest and most thought-provoking statues of Donald Trump over the years
Following the headline-grabbing statue "The Orange Plague" by Danish artist Jens Galschiøt, which was displayed this week at the European Parliament building in Strasbourg, we take a look back at some of the ways artists have depicted Trump in satirical, humorous and thought-provoking ways.
Over the years, artists have created numerous sculptures of Donald Trump, employing various methods to critique, satirize, or reflect on the former president's persona. These sculptures range from oversized and gilded effigies to unconventional and provocative installations. The art form has proven to be an effective way for artists to express their opinions and inform the public about the implications of Trump's actions and policies.
One of the latest examples of this trend is the 2.6-meter statue called "The Orange Plague," created by Danish artist Jens Galschiøt. This gold-coated sculpture depicts a nude Trump holding a large golf club and a set of scales while sitting on the back of a smaller, weaker man. A plaque accompanying the statue reads: "I am sitting on the back of a man.
He is sinking under my burden. I will do anything to help him. Except stepping down from his back." The piece is described by Galschiøt as a "satirical outcry" against Trump's volatile climate and foreign policies.
Other notable sculptures include "The Emperor Has No Balls," a 1.95-meter-tall clay and silicone statue of Trump with various body parts missing. This work was installed in several US cities but was later taken down, with the New York City Parks Department issuing an official statement declaring it "stands firmly against any unpermitted erection in city parks, no matter how small."
Similar to "The Orange Plague," "Dump Trump" is a 4.9-meter-tall statue that has been featured during Trump's visits to various locations, including the United Kingdom and Washington D.C. This effigy depicts Trump sitting on a golden toilet and on his phone, wearing a MAGA hat that reads "Impeach Me!" Additionally, the sculpture emits noises of flatulence and plays audio of Trump's catchphrases.
The artistic interpretations of Trump's character and actions have not always been met with success. The "Statue of Illiberty," created by Slovenian artist Tomaž Schlegl, was also met with negative consequences. Although the wooden statue was erected near Kamnik, Slovenia, it was destroyed by fire just weeks after its installation.
Another statue, "In Honor of a Lifetime of Sexual Assault," created by an anonymous artist, was spray-painted gold and showed Trump making a grabbing gesture. The plaque accompanying the statue directly quoted Trump's infamous comments from the Access Hollywood tape. This statue was also removed within 24 hours of its installation.
In the most recent addition to the collection of Trump sculptures, "Best Friends Forever" was created by The Secret Handshake. This 3.7-meter-tall statue depicts Trump and Jeffrey Epstein holding hands, symbolizing their long-lasting friendship and highlighting the allegations of sexual misconduct against Trump. The sculpture, made from foam, resin, wood, and bronze, was removed by the US Park Police shortly after its installation.
A temporary reinstallation took place at various locations in Washington D.C., but it was ultimately dismantled once again.
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