A provocative wave of anti-Trump statues has begun appearing across the United States, attracting public attention and sparking debate. The first statue—a replica of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s desk topped with a large, satirical sculpture—appeared on the National Mall in Washington, DC. But since then, new statues have surfaced in other cities, each referencing a controversial aspect of former President Donald Trump’s career and public statements.
The latest installation appeared Wednesday in Maja Park, Philadelphia. An eight-foot statue of Trump was placed behind a nude female sculpture, accompanied by a plaque titled “In honor of a lifetime of sexual assault.” The plaque included a quote from the infamous “Access Hollywood” tape, in which Trump was recorded making remarks about non-consensual behavior toward women. However, Philadelphia city workers promptly removed the statue, citing the lack of a permit for its installation, according to Laura Griffith, deputy director of the Association for Public Art.
In Portland, Oregon, another identical Trump statue was set up in a downtown area last weekend. This statue faced swift vandalism, including decapitation and graffiti, after a city council candidate and Trump supporter recorded himself defacing it. The remains of the statue disappeared early Monday, leaving its message—and the controversies surrounding it—open to public interpretation.
An anonymous artist, who claims to lead the project, contacted CNN to share insights into the group’s intentions. He explained that the installations are meant to provoke reflection on what he calls “resistance fatigue” surrounding Trump’s divisive statements and policies. “We put these up because we want to remind people that these are important things, and they should inform a decision-making process,” he stated. He described the effort as a collaboration with a few people who aim to use the statues to reinvigorate public awareness of the past administration’s impact.
Another installation emerged in Washington, DC’s Freedom Plaza—a bronze tiki torch, titled “The Donald J. Trump Enduring Flame.” Positioned just blocks from the White House, the sculpture alludes to Trump’s defense of participants in the 2017 white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, where a protester was killed. The accompanying plaque reads: “This monument pays tribute to President Donald Trump and the ‘very fine people’ he boldly stood to defend.” By referencing Trump’s controversial comments on the rally, the artist sought to rekindle the national memory of these events. This statue, too, was destroyed on Wednesday, with Park Police arresting a man on charges of property destruction and cocaine possession.
The artist behind the project has remained anonymous but shared that Civic Crafted LLC and Julia Jimenez-Pyzik helped apply for permits to install the statues in Washington, DC. Jimenez-Pyzik has since received numerous inquiries, with more statues continuing to appear across the country. While the artist confirmed that she only assisted in securing permits, her involvement has placed her in the public eye as new sculptures continue to attract attention.
For now, the only statue left standing is the original Pelosi desk replica, though it has also suffered damage. Vandals removed Pelosi’s nameplate from the desk, but it has since been restored. When asked if more statues might appear before the upcoming election, the anonymous artist responded enigmatically: “There are still a few days before the election. So it’s possible.”
These statues, with their politically charged messages, are not only artistic expressions but also statements aimed at prompting discussion around Trump’s legacy. As Election Day draws near, it remains to be seen whether this wave of provocative installations will continue to pop up across the country, reinforcing the anonymous artist’s message and stirring public debate.
