STRASBOURG, France – A controversial eight-foot sculpture depicting President Donald Trump in a gilded, naked form was installed this week within the European Parliament complex in Strasbourg, France. Titled “The Orange Plague” by Danish artist Jens Galschiot, the artwork has sparked immediate debate among European lawmakers and drawn international attention. The sculpture, which previously appeared in bronze at the Munich Security Conference, received a new gold leaf finish for its current, temporary display.
"What a disgrace. A gold-plated, naked Donald Trump… The people who lecture the world on dignity can’t even manage basic respect for the president of a friendly nation." Barbara Bonte, Member of the European Parliament (Vlaams Belang)
The installation, which went up on Tuesday and is scheduled for removal on Thursday, was brought to the European legislative body at the invitation of a left-wing Member of the European Parliament. The artwork shows President Trump unclothed, simultaneously grasping a golf club and the scales of justice, while being carried on the shoulders of a second male figure. Its prominent placement in a major thoroughfare connecting the chamber’s offices ensured high visibility for Parliament staff and visitors alike.
Artist Jens Galschiot unveiled the piece, articulating his political motivations behind its creation. He stated, “Trump represents one of the greatest threats to the rules-based world order, democratic values and our common effort to solving the climate crisis.” These remarks were made as the sculpture went on public view, underscoring the artist’s intent for the work to serve as a potent political statement. As a unique gesture, organizers of the display are distributing small maquettes, or scaled-down models of the sculpture, to visitors, allowing the design to circulate beyond the Parliament walls.
The presence of the sculpture within a major international legislative institution elicited sharp reactions from Members of the European Parliament, highlighting a clear division in perspectives on political art and diplomatic decorum. Barbara Bonte, a Member of the European Parliament from the Flemish nationalist party Vlaams Belang, publicly voiced her strong disapproval on social media platform X. Bonte, a right-wing populist, wrote, “What a disgrace. A gold-plated, naked Donald Trump… The people who lecture the world on dignity can’t even manage basic respect for the president of a friendly nation.” She further characterized the display as a political message masquerading as art, implicitly criticizing the lawmakers responsible for its installation.
Conversely, Per Clausen, an eco-socialist Member of the European Parliament, adopted a different stance, suggesting that President Trump should accept the caricature with good humor. Clausen remarked that the president would be “thin skinned” if he refused to take the artwork on the chin. This exchange between the two lawmakers, both serving in the same Parliament, underscores the divergent interpretations of artistic freedom versus the respect owed to a head of state.
The sculpture’s journey to Strasbourg followed an earlier appearance in Germany, where it was displayed in its original bronze form on the periphery of the Munich Security Conference. This earlier showing, outside the main proceedings, lacked the gilded finish now adorning the figure in Strasbourg. The temporary nature of Galschiot’s work, designed to travel, positions the European Parliament installation as a fleeting but impactful stop in its itinerary. By Thursday, as planned, the statue is slated for removal, though the maquettes distributed to visitors will continue to carry its image beyond the legislative building.
The installation raises questions about the boundaries of artistic expression within official governmental spaces and the implications for international relations. While proponents argue for the importance of provocative art in fostering critical dialogue, critics contend that such displays can undermine diplomatic protocols and show disrespect to foreign leaders. The episode in Strasbourg reflects ongoing global conversations about the role of satire and commentary in public life, particularly when directed at figures of international significance like President Donald Trump.
