A large, naked statue of Donald Trump has recently been erected near Las Vegas, Nevada, igniting strong reactions from locals and political observers alike. The statue, which depicts the former president in a highly unflattering manner, is part of an ongoing series of provocative art installations intended to spark debate around Trump’s legacy and political influence.
The newly erected statue – aptly named ‘Crooked and Obscene’ – weighs 6000 pounds, and stands nearly 43 feet high, towering over the industrial ground at its feet. It portrays Trump with exaggerated features, including a notably unflattering physical form. The art piece stands out due to its detailed and caricatured portrayal of the former president, including a scowling expression and an inflated, distorted body. It has quickly become a focal point for both locals and tourists, with some snapping photos whilst others have expressed disapproval.
A spokesperson for the artist has shared their plans to move the statue across different swing states. Since first appearing in Nevada, the piece has been placed in Arizona and Michigan. Arizona, Nevada, and Michigan are key swing states due to their narrow margins in recent elections: in 2020, Joe Biden won Arizona by just 0.3%, Nevada by 2.4%, and Michigan by 2.8%. The lines are incredibly close, and the statue’s presence in each of those states is a clear political stance from the artist.
This isn’t the first time a naked statue of Trump has appeared in public spaces. In fact, a similar version of this statue made headlines back in 2016 when it was installed in cities like New York, San Francisco, and Seattle by the activist art collective INDECLINE. The group, known for its anti-establishment political stunts, titled the piece The Emperor Has No Balls—a biting critique of Trump’s leadership style and personality.
Unlike the temporary installations from 2016, which were quickly removed by city officials citing decency laws, this version of the statue is reportedly on private industrial property, making its removal more difficult.
Trump’s likeness was again used for 2019’s infamous ‘baby blimp’ of Trump that floated down London streets in a protest against the then-president’s visit across the pond.
Public response to the statue has been deeply divided. Some people see the piece as a bold and humorous form of political satire, praising its presence online. Others have expressed disgust, questioning what the public’s reaction would be like if a similar statue of Kamala Harris was erected. Trump supporters have been particularly vocal on social media sites such as X, labeling the statue as ‘disrespectful’ and an attack on the former president’s character.
As with previous installations, the Nevada statue raises questions about the role of public art, satire, and free speech. Supporters argue that art should provoke and challenge, especially when it comes to political figures. Critics, however, see the statue as unnecessarily offensive and potentially damaging to public discourse.
Regardless of the mixed reactions, the statue has certainly succeeded in its goal of sparking conversation about Donald Trump and the boundaries of political expression, with only weeks to go until the election.