A new sculpture on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., has drawn the ire and intrigue of many as it seemingly calls out Donald Trump and his current administration. The 8-foot-tall installation, which features a reconstruction of the Statue of Liberty‘s head being crushed by a large gold-colored thumbs-up, has ignited both support and backlash from the public.
‘Dictator Approved’ Sculpture
The polarizing piece, titled “DICTATOR APPROVED,” made its debut shortly after President Trump organized a military parade on June 14, an event intended to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and coinciding with Trump’s birthday. Claims surrounding the sculpture suggest it encapsulates the essence of tumultuous political sentiments surrounding Trump’s presidency. It also prominently displays quotes from various leaders known for their authoritarian tendencies including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
White House Reaction
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson weighed in on the contentious installation, asserting to The Washington Post, “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 added that the country upholds the right to express free speech through art, even when that expression is deemed “ugly” by some. The identity of the creators behind this provocative artwork remains a mystery, as it has not been definitively attributed to any known artist. A permit for the installation was attributed to one Mary Harris, though further details regarding her or any collaborating artists have not been disclosed. The application was reportedly designed to highlight Trump’s connections with autocratic figures and stimulate discussion about the implications of those relationships.
Response to the Sculpture
Critics of the statue argue that such expressions diminish civil discourse. Francesca Carlo, a 20-year-old visiting from Cleveland, told The Washington Post that she believes the statue serves a profound purpose, stating, “If all these authoritarian politicians approve of our president, then maybe people will see a pattern recognition and see where democracy is headed.” The dialogue ignited by the “DICTATOR APPROVED” statue further feeds into ongoing perspectives regarding Trump’s presidency, suggesting he embodies more than contentious policies — an alleged drift toward authoritarianism. Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has previously accused Trump of having “authoritarian impulses,” labeling him a “fascist” in the lead-up to the 2024 election. Trump has rejected these accusations vehemently, characterizing Harris as “a threat to democracy.”
Online Reaction
Social media has amplified the discussion, with varied reactions to the art installation being shared widely. One user from Harlem in New York City expressed on X, “New public art that was just installed on the National Mall. The artist, obviously, is brilliant, but an enormous shoutout to the genius who managed to secure a permit in order to erect the statue legally.”
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Author: Joshua Wilburn
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