In a striking blend of politics, art, and digital finance, a colossal 15-foot golden statue of former President Donald Trump, whimsically named 'Don Colossus', has emerged as a focal point of intrigue. Crafted at a staggering cost of $300,000, this shimmering effigy could soon find a permanent home at Trump's cherished golf course in Florida, where a new pedestal has already been constructed in anticipation.
The Cryptocurrency Connection and Tribute
The statue, a nearly comical yet bold rendering of Trump, was commissioned by a group of cryptocurrency investors as a heartfelt 'tribute' to the leader. It depicts the President with his fist triumphantly raised in the air, a direct homage to the iconic photograph taken after he survived an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, in 2024. Beyond mere artistry, the creators leveraged this golden likeness to promote a cryptocurrency 'meme coin' dubbed $PATRIOT, capitalising on Trump's noted affinity for digital currencies.
Financial Turmoil and Legal Disputes
However, the venture has not been without its controversies. The $PATRIOT coin, heavily promoted through the statue's imagery, experienced a dramatic collapse, losing almost all of its value shortly after its market debut last year. Adding to the drama, sculptor Alan Cottrill has publicly claimed he is owed $75,000 for the intellectual property rights to the statue, highlighting ongoing financial disputes behind the scenes.
Mixed Messages from the Trump Camp
The Trump family has sought to distance themselves from the cryptocurrency aspect of the project, while seemingly embracing the statue itself. Eric Trump, the President's son, explicitly stated on social media platform X: 'We appreciate the support and enthusiasm, but we want to be crystal clear — we are not involved in this coin.' Conversely, messages from statue organiser Pastor Mark Burns reveal that Trump personally requested pictures of the gold-leafed statue in December, praising it as 'FANTASTIC.' Further reports indicate that White House schedulers are 'actively looking' for a date for Trump to attend the statue's grand unveiling.
Trump's Evolving Stance on Cryptocurrency
This episode underscores a significant shift in Trump's public stance on digital assets. During his first presidency, he was openly critical, stating, 'I am not a fan of Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies, which are not money, and whose value is highly volatile and based on thin air.' In 2021, he even labelled Bitcoin 'just seems like a scam.' Yet, ahead of his second inauguration, Trump launched his own cryptocurrency, which boasted an estimated market capitalisation of $6.3 billion, marking a notable pivot in his financial strategy.
The saga of 'Don Colossus' encapsulates the intersection of political iconography, speculative investment, and personal legacy, offering a glimpse into the unconventional tributes shaping contemporary culture.
