A golden statue of US President Donald Trump has been installed in Washington, DC, by an anonymous art collective calling itself Secret Handshake. The work, titled “Foot Soldier,” depicts the president in military-style attire and is intended to mock his Vietnam War draft deferment. The statue appeared overnight near a federal building, drawing a crowd of onlookers and passersby. Organizers said the piece was financed through private donations and erected without permits. Local authorities have not commented on whether the installation will be removed. The collective has not disclosed the identities of its members, stating only that the project was designed to provoke public discussion about political accountability and the president’s military record.
The installation references Trump’s five draft deferments during the Vietnam era, including one obtained for bone spurs in his heels. The White House has dismissed the statue as a minor stunt by unknown artists and declined further comment. The work follows a tradition of politically charged public art in the US capital, where temporary installations often appear near government buildings. Reaction among bystanders was mixed, with some praising the piece as satirical commentary and others calling it disrespectful. The statue remained standing as of Wednesday afternoon, and no formal removal request had been filed. Secret Handshake said it plans similar installations in other cities but did not specify locations or dates.
Independent reporting synthesized from primary wires and global correspondents.