A satirical sculpture mocking President Donald Trump's proposed 'Golden Dome' missile defence system has been erected on the National Mall in Washington D.C. The installation, created by Ben & Jerry's co-founder Ben Cohen, features a statue of Trump holding a hole-riddled golden dome like an umbrella, with water streaming from model missiles overhead.
The sculpture, unveiled on Wednesday, is intended to criticise the feasibility and cost of Trump's missile defence initiative. In a video promoting the project, Cohen said: 'You've heard about the guy talking about the Golden Dome. Well, he had it wrong. It's really a hole-den dome. That's right, lots of holes in the dude's golden dome.' The holes symbolise a defence system that fails under real-world conditions, according to the group behind the installation.
At a press conference following the unveiling, speakers highlighted concerns that the 'Golden Dome' proposal relies on unproven technology and could trigger a new global arms race. Spokesperson Edward Erikson said: 'With an estimated cost of more than $4 trillion, advocates argue that resources would be better used to help working families struggling with the rising cost of housing, health care, and education.' Estimates from the Federal News Network suggest the system could cost up to $3.6 trillion.
Trump announced plans for the Golden Dome in May last year, claiming it would be fully operational by 2029. However, as of February this year, the project has barely begun, partly due to the White House holding back billions in congressionally approved funds, according to Politico. The Pentagon has instead relied on piecemeal contracts to develop space-based interceptors.
White House spokesman Davis Ingle responded: 'Trump Derangement Syndrome is a sick and incurable disease that has rotted the brains of many people. President Trump will never waver in fighting for and protecting the American people.' Cohen and his fellow co-founder Jerry Greenfield have long been vocal advocates of social justice causes, and have recently fallen out with Unilever, which bought Ben & Jerry's in 2000.
