In the heated lead-up to the 2024 US presidential election, a series of mysterious satirical statues mocking candidate Donald Trump and his supporters have been materializing in cities across the nation. These provocative pop-up installations, quickly removed by authorities, are sparking conversations about the ex-president’s controversial past and polarizing present.
A “Lifetime of Sexual Assault” Monument Appears in Philly
On Wednesday, a life-size statue of a smirking Trump holding his hand in a suggestive manner was propped up in Philadelphia’s Maja Park. Titled “In Honor of a Lifetime of Sexual Assault,” the monument quoted the infamous Access Hollywood tape leaked in 2016, in which Trump bragged about groping women.
“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. Grab them by the pussy. You can do anything.”
– Donald Trump, Access Hollywood tape (2005)
The unsanctioned statue, placed beside an official nude sculpture, was swiftly taken down. While Trump has never faced criminal charges, around 27 women have accused him of sexual misconduct. Last year, a civil jury found him liable for sexually abusing writer E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s.
Portland’s Short-Lived Trump Statue Spectacle
A nearly identical Trump statue surfaced in Portland, Oregon on Sunday, only to be beheaded the same day. A city council candidate and vocal Trump supporter filmed himself further damaging the statue’s base, calling it “obscene.”
Like its Philadelphia counterpart, the Portland monument featured the crass Access Hollywood quote and was strategically situated near a city-approved nude sculpture, creating a jarring juxtaposition that amplified its message before being dismantled.
White Nationalist Imagery & Capitol Riot References
The recent spate of guerrilla art installations began last Thursday in Washington, D.C., just blocks from the White House. A bronze pile of feces on a replica of Nancy Pelosi’s desk appeared, pointedly referencing the January 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection when Trump supporters stormed the building trying to overturn his election loss.
On Monday, a tiki torch statue entitled “The Donald J Trump Enduring Flame” was erected in the capital, evoking the infamous 2017 white nationalist “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville. Trump had claimed there were “very fine people on both sides” of the deadly clash.
Anonymous Artists Aim to Influence Voters
The masterminds behind these fleeting installations remain unknown, but an anonymous individual contacted The Washington Post to claim credit for the D.C., Philadelphia, and Portland pieces. “We are hoping they spark conversation about what we view are certain political issues that are relevant to voters,” the person stated.
As the contentious election looms, these audacious art stunts are ensuring that Trump’s most ignominious moments remain fresh in the public consciousness. While the statues are swiftly whisked away, the uncomfortable conversations they ignite about the highly divisive former president may prove harder to suppress.
