Gold-Leaf Nude Trump Statue 'The Orange Plague' Debuts at European Parliament

Key points

• The sculpture, titled 'The Orange Plague,' was unveiled on October 6 at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.
• Designed by Danish sculptor Jens Galschiøt, the eight-foot figure is covered in 23-karat gold leaf and depicts a nude Trump holding a golf club, a world-shaped ball, and scales.
• The statue shows Trump sitting on the shoulders of a frail man, with an inscription on the base signed by 'The King of Injustice' stating he will do anything to help the man except step down.
• Galschiøt stated the work is a satirical outcry against U.S. assaults on the green transition and rule-based world order, not directed against the European Parliament itself.
• The artist cited Trump’s undermining of climate efforts, rolling back progress, and destroying scientific data as motivations for the piece.
• The exhibition is part of a three-day event hosted by Danish MEP Per Clausen, with free miniature sculptures distributed to attendees as protest symbols or mascots.

Background

This development follows recent diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and Europe, highlighted by Pope Leo XIV’s September visit to France, where he championed European unity and international law while implicitly challenging U.S. criticisms of European democracy. The statue’s focus on climate policy aligns with broader concerns about U.S. withdrawal from global environmental commitments, a theme discussed in prior coverage of Trump’s approval ratings and policy impacts.

Why it matters

The sculpture serves as a public, artistic intervention in the debate over U.S. foreign policy and climate leadership, using satire to highlight perceived imbalances in global power dynamics. By distributing miniatures and touring major international forums, the artist aims to provoke discussion and mobilize opposition to policies seen as undermining multilateral cooperation and environmental progress.

What to watch

The exhibition will continue at the European Parliament for three days, with Galschiøt distributing free miniatures to attendees. The sculpture is scheduled to travel to the COP31 UN Climate Conference in Antalya, Turkey, in November, where it will likely draw attention from climate policymakers and activists.