A provocative new statue has appeared in Philadelphia, adding to a growing series of politically charged art installations targeting former President Donald Trump. This latest statue, erected in a critical battleground state, mirrors previous efforts seen across the country aimed at sparking dialogue and critique of Trump’s public controversies.
The installation features a golden statue of Trump positioned behind a partially nude woman, titled Maja, by German artist Gerhard Marcks, originally installed in 2021. The accompanying plaque reads, “In Honor of a Lifetime of Sexual Assault,” a nod to Trump’s infamous 2005 “Access Hollywood” comments, where he made remarks about his behavior toward women. The statement on the plaque refers to Trump’s recorded admission of being able to act freely around women due to his celebrity status.
Jennifer Bendery, a reporter for Huffington Post, has been following the statues’ appearances across the nation, with recent installations spotted near similar artworks in Portland, Oregon, and Washington, D.C. The Portland statue was reportedly defaced and removed by a local political figure and Trump supporter, illustrating the divisive nature of these installations.
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These activist-driven monuments have also referenced other contentious events, including the January 6th Capitol attack and Trump’s remarks on the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The group responsible, Civic Crafting, secured permits through the National Parks Service to set up these installations, aiming to bring attention to the former president’s impact on American political culture.
