Conan O'Brien Proposes Soap Statues for Public Spaces
The television host suggests that future monuments should be made of durable soap that dissolves after ten years.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Home Cleaning
Conan O'Brien proposed on the YouTube series SubwayTakes that public statues be constructed from a special soap that disappears in about a decade. He argued this approach forces society to periodically decide if a figure still warrants a monument.
Why it matters
O'Brien noted that statues of individuals later found to have committed terrible acts often require difficult removal processes. A temporary medium would allow communities to evaluate the legacy of the subject without the need for permanent structural changes.
O'Brien proposed a 10-year lifespan for his soap monuments, suggesting this timeframe prevents statues from becoming outdated. In comparison, 100 Confederate symbols were removed or renamed across the country during 2020.
The players
Conan O'Brien
He is an American television host, comedian, and writer who is widely recognized for his long-running late-night talk shows.
Donald Trump
He is the current President of the United States.
Rudy Giuliani
He is a former mayor of New York City and a lawyer who has been a prominent figure in American politics for decades.
The details
During his October 20, 2026, appearance on SubwayTakes, the host cited the statue of Rudy Giuliani as an example, joking that a sculpture of the former mayor would have already dissolved. His suggestion follows a period of intense national debate surrounding public monuments, including President Donald Trump's 2025 push to restore Confederate statues.
Timeline
Over 100 Confederate symbols were removed or renamed in 2020.
O'Brien delivered a commencement speech at Harvard University in 2020.
President Donald Trump advocated for the restoration of Confederate statues in 2025.
Conan O'Brien hosted the Oscars in 2025.
O'Brien delivered a commencement speech at Harvard University in May 2026.
Culture Shift
The proposal directly addresses the societal friction caused by permanent monuments in a changing culture, drawing on lessons from the 2020 removal of Confederate symbols in the United States. This suggests a shift toward viewing public art as ephemeral rather than timeless.
This suggestion highlights a shift in how individuals might view the permanence of public art in their own communities. Residents may find themselves questioning whether local monuments should be maintained indefinitely or updated to reflect modern societal values.
The takeaway
O'Brien's proposal highlights a growing desire for more flexible approaches to public commemoration. The idea serves as a conversation starter about how society balances historical recognition with evolving community standards.
Further reading
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Source note: This article includes information reported by HuffPost.
