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The Donald J. Trump Enduring Flame

The Donald J. Trump Enduring Flame
Year2024 (2024)
Dimensions2.4 m (8 ft)
LocationWashington, D.C., United States

The Donald J. Trump Enduring Flame was an art installation in Freedom Plaza, Washington, D.C., United States.[1][2][3] The stone sculpture was installed at Freedom Plaza on October 28, 2024, and depicted a hand holding a tiki torch in reference to the Unite the Right rally (2017).

According to NPR, "the tiki torch refers to Trump's role in an episode of recent history that many consider shameful and that Democrats have tried to use against him as he runs for reelection".[4]

Description

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The approximately 8-foot-tall artwork is a bronze-colored stone column supporting a hand holding a tiki torch. The satirical plaque references the Unite the Right rally (2017) and reads: "This monument pays tribute to President Donald Trump and the 'very fine people' he boldly stood to defend when they marched in Charlottesville, Virginia. While many have called them white supremacists and neo-Nazis, President Trump's voice rang out above the rest to remind all that they were 'treated absolutely unfairly.' This monument stands as an everlasting reminder of that bold proclamation."[5]

History

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The sculpture was installed at Freedom Plaza on October 28, 2024, four days after the January 6 United States Capitol attack memorial. A permit was filed by Julia Jimenez via Civic Crafting LLC and granted by the National Park Service. 24-hour surveillance was requested and approved. The sculpture was slated to remain until 5pm on October 31, 2024.[5][6]

The sculpture was destroyed by two men using skateboards on October 30.[7][8] One was arrested for property destruction and cocaine possession.[9] According to CNN, the remaining parts of the sculpture were removed by the team behind the project.[10]

Reception

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Jennifer Bendery of HuffPost said the sculpture as well as The Resolute Desk (another satirical artwork installed the same week)[11] were "jabs at Trump and his ties to extremists".[12] Both works received significant attention by media outlets.[13]

References

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  1. ^ "A satirical tiki torch statue pops up in DC days before the presidential election". WTOP-FM. 2024-10-29. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  2. ^ Helmore, Edward (2024-10-29). "Mystery artist leaves neo-Nazi tiki torch 'tribute' to Trump near White House". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. ISSN 0261-3077. OCLC 60623878. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  3. ^ "Who is the mystery poop and tiki torch artist?". The Washington Post. 2024-10-29. ISSN 0190-8286. OCLC 2269358.
  4. ^ Treisman, Rachel (2024-10-29). "Poop on Pelosi's desk, a neo-Nazi tiki torch: Mysterious statues are popping up in D.C." NPR. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  5. ^ a b Nayyar, Rhea (2024-10-29). "Neo-Nazi Tiki Torch "Monument" to Trump Emerges in DC". Hyperallergic. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  6. ^ Heim, Joe (October 28, 2024). "Poop artist strikes again with neo-Nazi tiki torch statue for Trump". The Washington Post.
  7. ^ "Skateboard-wielding suspect accused of destroying D.C.s tiki torch statue". The Washington Post. 2024-10-31.
  8. ^ "Man arrested, another wanted for smashing Trump torch statue at Freedom Plaza with skateboards". wusa9.com. 2024-11-01. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  9. ^ Swalec, Andrea (2024-11-01). "Tiki torch art mocking Trump smashed by men wielding skateboards, police say". NBC4 Washington. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  10. ^ Cohen, Gabe (2024-10-31). "More anti-Trump statues are popping up across US. Anonymous artist attached to the project says there could be more". CNN. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  11. ^ Sherratt, Madeline. "Mysterious bronze neo-Nazi tiki torch for Trump statue appears in Washington DC: 'Very fine people'". The Independent.
  12. ^ "Mysterious Tiki Torch Monument Honors Trump For Calling Neo-Nazis 'Very Fine People'". HuffPost. 2024-10-28. Archived from the original on 2024-12-12. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  13. ^ Cassady, Daniel (2024-11-01). "Pelosi Desk Covered in Poop and Trump Torch Sculptures Appear in D.C. Ahead of Election Day". ARTnews. Penske Media Corporation. ISSN 0004-3273. OCLC 586878190. Archived from the original on 2024-11-27. Retrieved 2024-12-29.