A 23-karat gold statue of a naked, overweight Donald Trump, titled the "Orange Plague," has been displayed inside the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. The 8.2ft tall exhibit depicts the former US president sitting on the shoulders of a much smaller man, holding a small pair of scales of justice in one hand and a long pole in the other.
Satirical Sculpture by Danish Artist
The satirical sculpture was created by Danish artist Jens Galschiot and is coated in 23-karat gold. The statue is also known by the name "King of Injustice." The pedestal reads: "The Orange Plague. I am sitting on the back of a man. He is sinking under my burden. I will do anything to help him. Except step down from his back. - The King of Injustice."
Mr Galschiot has reportedly criticised Trump for his approach to climate change. A similar statue was displayed at COP30 in Brazil last year. A description of the previous statue on Mr Galschiot's website reads: "Trump is back. As the leader of one of the world’s most polluting nations, he has withdrawn from climate summits and is doing everything possible to sabotage the green transition."
Display and Reaction
The website description continues: "This will come at a high cost for future generations through climate disasters, floods, and waves of refugees. We have recreated the sculpture Survival of the Fattest with Trump as the god of (In)justice on top of the thin man. It is made of copper, stands 150 meters tall, and is to be displayed at the climate summit."
In the European Parliament, the statue stands at an intersection of two of the parliament's buildings and will remain in place until tomorrow. Left-wing European Parliament member Per Clausen, who invited the artist, told DW he is not concerned about any negative reaction to the statue. The Danish politician said: "If someone is so thin-skinned that they cannot tolerate this sculpture being exhibited in the European Parliament, then they have no place on the world stage."
Trump has not commented on the sculpture.
