European Parliament Exhibited Gold Trump Statue
The satirical sculpture by Jens Galschiøt depicts Donald Trump seated on a man's shoulders.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Fine Art
Live Poll
Do you believe political art exhibits belong in official government buildings?
A 2.5-metre gold-plated statue of Donald Trump has been unveiled at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The sculpture, titled Orange Plague, depicts the former U.S. President sitting naked on a man's shoulders while holding a golf club.
Why it matters
Artist Jens Galschiøt created the work to highlight his view that Donald Trump acts as a significant obstacle to global climate change mitigation efforts. The exhibition serves as a provocative political statement within the halls of the European legislative body.
The sculpture stands 2.5 metres tall including its pedestal and is coated in 23-karat gold. It was commissioned by Danish artist Jens Galschiøt and invited for display by Member of the European Parliament Per Clausen.
The players
Jens Galschiøt
He is a Danish artist known for creating large-scale, politically charged sculptures that often address human rights and climate issues.
Donald Trump
He is the current President of the United States.
Per Clausen
He is a Member of the European Parliament who facilitated the exhibition of the controversial artwork.
The details
Unveiled at a busy intersection connecting two European Parliament buildings, the statue features Donald Trump seated atop another man. The display was revealed after an orange cloth was removed from the figure during a ceremony in France.
Timeline
Tuesday, October 6, 2026: The statue was officially unveiled at the parliament building.
Thursday, October 8, 2026: The exhibition is scheduled to conclude.
Industry Dynamics
This installation aligns with a history of using provocative, physical art to challenge political figures, echoing the 2016 'The Emperor Has No Balls' statue series. By placing the work within the European Parliament, the exhibit elevates grassroots political commentary into the formal arena of international governance.
The sculpture is currently accessible to those visiting the European Parliament in Strasbourg. As the installation is temporary, public access is limited to the short window before the piece is removed on Thursday.
The takeaway
Satirical art remains a common tool for activists looking to force climate change issues into the mainstream political conversation. Readers can observe how public spaces at legislative bodies are increasingly used to host controversial artistic statements.
What happens next
The exhibition is scheduled to remain on display until the end of the day on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more analysis and exhibition coverage in the Fine Art section.
Live Poll
Do you believe political art exhibits belong in official government buildings?
