A 2.5-metre gold-covered statue depicting US President Donald Trump naked has gone on display at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, in a satirical artwork criticising his environmental and foreign policies.
Titled “The Orange Plague”, the sculpture was created by Danish artist Jens Galschiøt and unveiled on Tuesday, October 6. It depicts Trump sitting on the shoulders of a smaller, frail man while holding a golf club and a set of scales representing justice. A globe-shaped golf ball is also part of the installation. The Straits Times
The sculpture is made of copper and coated with 23-carat gold leaf, according to the artist. It is approximately 2.5 metres tall including its pedestal and has been installed at a busy passage connecting two European Parliament buildings in Strasbourg. South China Morning Post
Galschiøt said the artwork was intended as a satirical criticism of what he considers Trump’s impact on climate action and the international rules-based order.
“The sculpture is a satirical out-cry against Trump and the U.S. assault on the green transition and the rule-based world order,” Galschiøt said.
The pedestal carries a statement attributed to the fictional “King of Injustice”: “I am sitting on the back of a man. He is sinking under my burden. I will do anything to help him. Except stepping down from his back.” AOL.com
The artist has said the work is also intended to provoke debate about powerful leaders and the consequences of their decisions for other people and the environment.
Danish Member of the European Parliament Per Clausen sponsored the temporary exhibition. He defended the decision to display the sculpture at the European Parliament, arguing that political art should be able to challenge powerful figures. The Independent
The sculpture previously appeared at the COP30 climate conference in Belém, Brazil, in 2025 and has since been displayed in other European locations. It is scheduled to remain at the European Parliament in Strasbourg until Thursday, October 8, before being taken to Turkey for display around the COP31 climate conference in November. Art Newspaper
The installation has drawn international attention because of its location inside a major European political institution and its unusually direct depiction of a sitting US president.
Trump has not publicly commented on the Strasbourg installation.
The artwork is the latest in a series of public sculptures and installations portraying Trump in provocative ways. Galschiøt is known for political artworks addressing issues including human rights, climate change, inequality and authoritarianism.
