A massive 15ft gold Trump statue has sparked fury and North Korea dictator comparisons, with people reportedly refusing to pose with the “Don Colossus”
Donald Trump has sparked a backlash after a massive 15-foot gold-leaf statue of the US President was unveiled, with critics claiming he is taking tips from North Korea. The towering monument, cheekily dubbed “Don Colossus,” has been erected at the Trump National Doral Miami golf resort.
The 3.1-ton behemoth appeared just a week before the PGA Tour’s Cadillac Championship, but its “dictator-chic” aesthetic has left a sour taste in the mouths of many.
Online commentators were quick to point out the striking resemblance between the shimmering figure and the infamous bronze statues of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il in Pyongyang.
Former NBCUniversal senior executive Mike Sington took to X to blast the display, writing: “Trump’s Doral National golf course in Miami installs gold statue of Trump, which is remarkably similar to one of Dear Leader in North Korea.”
Dr. Sam Youssef, a frequent critic of the Republican, went even further, suggesting the statue was proof Trump had finally achieved his “dream of becoming like North Korean leaders.”
While the statue, which depicts Trump defiantly raising his fist following the 2024 assassination attempt in Pennsylvania, was intended to be a centrepiece, not everyone is queuing up for a selfie.
Professional golfer Rickie Fowler seemed unsurprised by the garish addition, telling Golfweek: “What else would you expect.”
Fellow pro Maverick McNealy described the work as “very tall and very gold,” but admitted he hadn’t decided if he’d be posing with it.
The atmosphere grew even more awkward when a tournament photographer asked PGA Tour staff for a group shot with the gold-plated President.
After being met with a flat refusal, the snapper reportedly snapped back: “Ok, I didn’t know you were all so woke.”
The statue wasn’t without its own behind-the-scenes drama. Sculpted by Ohio artist Alan Cottrill, the $360,000 masterpiece was originally commissioned by a cryptocurrency group called $PATRIOT.
However, it was almost kept in a secret Muskingum County location following a bitter payment dispute. Cottrill claimed the crypto group began using the statue’s likeness to sell tokens before the bills were fully settled.
The North Korean comparisons are particularly pointed given Trump’s rollercoaster history with Kim Jong Un. After once mocking Kim as “Little Rocket Man” and bragging about the size of his “nuclear button,” the pair famously struck up a friendship.
Trump later claimed the duo “fell in love” after receiving “beautiful letters” from the autocrat. As recently as this month, Trump boasted about their rapport, noting that Kim had even joined him in mocking Joe Biden’s mental state.
The White House has distanced itself from the project, clarifying that it has no involvement with the crypto group or the controversial golden idol.
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