President Donald Trump has made no secret of his love for all things gold—the larger and glitzier the better. So visitors this week to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., who happened upon a 10-foot-tall, golden “Iran War Participation Trophy” dedicated to the president, can be forgiven for initially thinking it was a legitimate monument installed by the current administration.
“I thought it was serious because there are so many ridiculous things happening that it’s hard to tell,” said Gayl Staver, 75, speaking to the Washington Post, which reported on the appearance of the sculpture on Monday morning near the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. “Of course he would want something like this,” Staver added. “I’m surprised he’s not here taking his photo with it.”
But this time, earnest observers were mistaken. The statue is an artwork by the anonymous satirical art collective the Secret Handshake, which told TIME that the statue will remain in place “for the next several days.” They added it was “an attempt to de-escalate the conflict through positive reinforcement.” The group was behind several similarly cheeky anti-Trump installations around the capital, including statues alluding to Trump’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
Their latest creation is in the form of a giant trophy embossed with #1 on one side, and the word “participant” at the base. A plaque below, dripping in stinging irony, reads: “We hereby award President Donald J. Trump this participation trophy for his enthusiastic involvement in the Iranian War. While some concern themselves with military strategy, diplomacy, or measurable outcomes, President Trump demonstrated the courage to participate regardless of the final score.” It adds: “President Trump joins the ranks of children everywhere who received recognition for simply showing up. We join you in celebrating this remarkable achievement.” The plaque is signed, “With honor, the Secret Handshake Prize Committee.” Nearby, another message invites visitors to add their own trophies to the interactive project.
If one goal was to ruffle Trump’s feathers, the stunt has arguably succeeded. “These untalented ‘artists’ should stick to their ugly ‘art’ and refrain from weighing in on foreign policy—which they clearly know nothing about, given the fact that the United States Military achieved all of its objectives during Operation Epic Fury,” stated White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly in response.
Kelly’s last assertion, however, is questionable at best. Following a month-old cease-fire, the US and Iran exchanged strikes today for the fifth consecutive day as both sides battle for control of the critical Strait of Hormuz, with no signs of either side backing down. This, despite Democratic lawmakers’ recent attempts to restrict the president’s ability to continue waging war in the region without Congressional approval.
