Danish Artist Unveils Gold-Leaf Nude Trump Statue in European Parliament

Key points

• The 8.5-foot statue, titled 'The Orange Plague' or 'The King of Injustice,' was unveiled on October 6, 2026, in a hallway linking two European Parliament buildings in Strasbourg, France.
• The sculpture depicts a nude Donald Trump coated in 23-karat gold leaf, holding a golf club and scales of justice, while sitting on the shoulders of a frail male figure.
• The pedestal bears the inscription: 'I am sitting on the back of a man. He is sinking under the burden. I would do anything to help him. Except step down from his back.'
• Danish MEP Per Clausen, a left-wing member, invited the artist to display the work, stating it was meant to spark debate on European self-defense against US policies.
• The installation was slated to remain until October 8, 2026, and previously appeared at the 2025 COP30 UN climate conference in Belem, Brazil.
• Galschiøt, known for his 2021 'Pillar of Shame' sculpture, stated the work was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's 'The Emperor's New Clothes' and aimed to comment on Trump's rollback of climate protections.

Background

This installation follows a series of previous stops for the sculpture, including Copenhagen and Germany, as noted in our archive. The artwork is part of a broader critique of US foreign policy and environmental destruction, with over 1,000 3D-printed miniatures distributed to visitors as protest tokens. No official reaction from the US administration has been reported.

Why it matters

The installation highlights growing European concerns over US foreign policy and climate actions, using public art to provoke debate within the European Parliament. It underscores the transatlantic tensions and the use of satire to critique political leadership.

What to watch

The statue is set to move to the COP31 climate conference in Turkey next month, continuing its tour to raise awareness about climate and global order issues.