Nicolai Haugsted
The President has once again created anger – on both sides of the political spectrum.
A towering golden statue of Donald Trump has triggered fierce backlash in the United States after critics compared the display to the personality cults surrounding authoritarian rulers.
The six-meter-tall monument was unveiled Thursday at a Florida golf course by televangelist John Mark Burns, one of Trump’s most visible spiritual allies.
Giant Trump statue sparks controversy
The sculpture shows Trump raising a clenched fist — mirroring the gesture he made after surviving an assassination attempt during a 2024 campaign rally.
Supporters described the statue as a symbol of resilience and divine protection surrounding the former president.
Critics, however, reacted with disbelief across social media and conservative circles alike.
“This is what idolatry looks like,” wrote pastor Benjamin Cremer on X while sharing images from the unveiling ceremony.
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Among many religious conservatives, accusations of idolatry carry serious weight, particularly because evangelical Christian voters remain one of Trump’s strongest political bases.
Comparisons to dictators emerge
Reaction quickly expanded beyond religious criticism.
Several commentators compared the giant golden monument to statues historically associated with authoritarian leaders and personality cults.
Conservative writer Rod Dreher reportedly drew parallels to former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, whose massive statues once dominated Baghdad during his rule.
Political commentator Harry Sisson made similar comparisons to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and the enormous bronze monuments displayed in Pyongyang.
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Trump joins ceremony remotely
Trump himself reportedly participated by phone during the unveiling event and praised Burns publicly.
“He is a good pastor. He is a good man,” said Donald Trump during the ceremony, according to Newsweek.
Burns later rejected accusations that the statue represented religious worship.
The televangelist argued that honoring Trump should not be confused with placing him above God and insisted the ceremony reflected admiration rather than devotion.
