In a bold promotional stunt, a towering golden statue of former President Donald Trump grasping a Bitcoin was unveiled outside the United States Capitol on Wednesday. The statue, part of a promotional event by the creators of Pump.fun, aims to honor the crypto-friendly policies the former president has endorsed.
Positioned directly across from Union Square in Washington, DC, the statue resides on the National Mall, a site symbolic of American democracy and often a stage for various expressions of political and social commentary. The stunt coincided with a significant development in the financial landscape; the Federal Reserve announced a cut in interest rates for the first time this year, reducing rates by 25 basis points. This move is generally perceived as favorable for high-risk assets such as cryptocurrencies, as it lowers borrowing costs.
The event’s organizers describe the statue as a way to emphasize Trump’s “steadfast dedication to advancing financial innovation through Bitcoin and decentralized finance.” Hichem Zaghdoudi, one of the event’s main coordinators, stated that the statue was designed to spark discussions regarding the future of government-backed currency and the intersections of politics and financial advancements.
According to Zaghdoudi, “This is a message to illustrate that President Trump has played a crucial role in the widespread acceptance of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies among major institutions.” He further mentioned that the golden statue serves as a token of gratitude to the former president for his contributions to the crypto sector.
Trump’s advocacy for cryptocurrencies was highlighted during his tenure, when he attracted significant financial backing from the crypto community for his presidential campaign. However, some critics argue that his administration’s regulatory rollbacks in the crypto space raised ethical concerns about potential conflicts of interest, particularly as Trump and his family reportedly expanded their financial engagements in cryptocurrency.
The organizers of the statue’s unveiling, who have chosen to remain mostly anonymous, crafted a memecoin linked to Pump.fun specifically for this event. They are running a series of livestreams to promote the token. Notably, the statue itself was built from lightweight, durable foam, allowing for easier transport and arrangement. Reports indicate it stands approximately 12 feet tall, and an organizer joked during a livestream that they hoped Trump would come to see it, seemingly unaware of his current visit to the United Kingdom.
This is not the first statue of Trump to appear on the National Mall this year; however, it is the first to celebrate his support for cryptocurrencies. Earlier in June, other installations carried critical messages, including an eight-foot statue named “Dictator Approved,” which depicted a giant golden hand giving a thumbs-up while crushing the Statue of Liberty’s crown, commenting on Trump’s controversial military parade. Another installation displayed a gold television featuring controversial content related to Trump and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The appearance of the Trump statue on the National Mall marks a unique addition to the ongoing discourse on the role of cryptocurrency in modern finance and politics. As the blockchain space continues to grow and evolve, symbolic gestures like this one highlight the intersection of emerging financial technologies and national political narratives.
