A 23-karat gold statue of a naked Donald Trump has been unveiled at the European Parliament building in Strasbourg, France. The satirical piece, titled “The Orange Plague,” was created by Danish artist Jens Galschiot and shows the US President on the shoulders of a smaller man who appears to struggle under the weight.
Artist’s message and criticism
A message underneath 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 King of Injustice.” The 8.2ft tall statue depicts Mr Trump holding a small pair of scales of justice in one hand and a pole in the other.
Mr Galschiot has described Mr Trump as a “destructive influence” and a “threat” to world order, democracy, and the fight against climate change. On his website, the artist wrote: “Trump represents one of the greatest threats to the rule based world order, democratic values and our common effort to solving the climate crisis. We must address this issue and stand together against such destructive influence.”
Political backing in Strasbourg
European Parliament politician Per Clausen, who invited Mr Galschiot, defended the display of the statue at the heart of EU power. The left-wing politician told DW: “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.”
Tour and public access
The statue will remain in the European Parliament building in Strasbourg until Thursday, before being taken to the COP31 UN Climate Conference in Turkey in November. It was previously displayed at COP 30 in Brazil last year, the 2026 Munich Security Conference, Denmark’s Rebild Festival, and Copenhagen’s “Hands off Greenland” demonstrations.
Mr Galschiot said the statue is inspired by the story of The Emperor’s New Clothes, in which a leader walks naked through a street believing he is wearing the finest clothes. In the tale, no one dares to tell him he is naked out of fear of his reaction, until a child eventually points it out and the emperor is ridiculed.
Visitors have been given miniature replicas of the statue, and Mr Galschiot has uploaded files online for people to 3D-print their own statues at home.
