Golden Nude Trump Statue Displayed at European Parliament
A 2.5-meter statue of Donald Trump, covered in gold leaf and titled The Orange Plague, has been put on display at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Danish artist Jens Galschiøt created the work, which shows Trump sitting on the shoulders of a thin man, and it was brought at the request of MEP Per Clausen. Clausen said the installation is meant to prompt debate about Europe's self-defense and reducing dependence on Trump-era politics.
Danish artist Jens Galschiøt created the 2.5-meter work, coating a nude Donald Trump in a layer of 23-karat gold. Trump is shown seated on the shoulders of a slender man, holding scales and a golf club. The piece, called The Orange Plague, draws on Hans Christian Andersen’s tale about an emperor’s new clothes and was previously exhibited at a Brazilian climate conference.
A sign, attributed to a “king of injustice,” describes remaining on another man’s back despite his sinking. MEP Per Clausen requested the Strasbourg display to encourage debate on European self-defense and reducing reliance on policies linked to Trump. A thousand miniature versions were made for visitors, and the display was scheduled through Thursday. Trump had not responded.
The display may draw media and visitor attention to debates over Europe’s self-defense and reducing reliance on Trump-linked politics. MEPs, EU staff, and the public could encounter its symbolism, while reactions may split along existing views of Trump. It might add a cultural flashpoint to policy discussions, potentially shaping public discourse more than legislation. Because the work is temporary and symbolic, its direct policy impact is likely limited, though it could still influence how some Europeans frame dependence, democratic norms, and political accountability.