A new piece of artwork displaying the words “dictator approved” has popped up in front of the Capitol on the National Mall, comparing President Donald Trump to some of the world’s most disliked leaders, such as North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un.
The sculpture, 8 feet in height, shows a golden hand doing a “thumbs-up” while smashing the head of the Statue of Liberty. The four sides of the pedestal that the statue sits on have quotes about Trump by less-favorable world leaders, such as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Another quote by Russian President Vladimir Putin says that Trump “is a very bright and talented man.”
Tourists checking out the statue on Thursday told the Washington Examiner their feelings about its symbolism.
Raquel Donaghy, a visitor from Texas, said the sculpture was “bold” and “to the point.”
“I think it needs to be said. It needs to be said on a bigger scale, actually.”
D.C. resident Jacob Luzi noted that this is not the first political artwork to cause a stir, but it is the most clear.
“It’s definitely emblematic of the current situation of the country,” he said.
Luzi also mentioned that, while the National Park Service is under the Executive Branch, not approving the permit application for the statue’s placement would be a violation of free speech.
A spokesperson for the National Park Service told the Washington Examiner that the content of messages in artwork and other displays is not considered when an application is issued.
White House Deputy press secretary Abigail Jackson noted the same sentiments in a statement to the Washington Examiner that free speech rights are being invoked in the art display.
“If these Democrat activists were living in a dictatorship, their eye-sore of a sculpture wouldn’t be sitting on the National Mall right now,” Jackson wrote. “In the United States of America you have the freedom to display your so-called ‘art,’ no matter how ugly it is.”
President Donald Trump has often used gold in symbolism, including his descent from a golden escalator at Trump Tower while announcing his run for the Republican nomination in the 2016 presidential election.
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The family’s newest venture, Trump Mobile, will sell a gold color Android phone.
According to the NPS permit provided to the Washington Examiner, the artwork will be displayed through June 22. The permit’s title, Veterans First Initiative, matches the name of an organization based in Haymarket, Virginia. The Washington Examiner has contacted the organization for comment.