Trump Portrayed in Coffin on Tehran Billboard Amid Rising Anti-U.S. Propaganda

A new billboard in Enghelab Square, central Tehran, displays a graphic of former U.S. President Donald Trump lying in an open black coffin. The figure’s eyes and mouth are closed, hair is disheveled, and hands rest on a red tie atop a protruding stomach; the feet point straight up. White graffiti across the image reads “We Will Kill Trump” in both Persian and English. The billboard is part of a series of provocative displays that have appeared in the square in recent weeks.

New York Times

Enghelab Square is a frequent venue for political symbols. In January, a billboard depicted a strike on an American warship, its wake painted to resemble the stripes of the U.S. flag. The current display follows a pattern of vengeance-themed messaging linked to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s former supreme leader, and other officials. The graffiti also includes the phrase “In memory of Minab’s children,” referencing the city of Minab in southern Iran where an elementary-school strike on Feb. 28 killed children. That same day a nearby Iranian naval base was hit; in March, U.S. officials said a preliminary investigation indicated an American targeting error caused the school attack. The billboard’s style mirrors blackboard walls used for public mourning of Khamenei, who died as the war began on Feb. 28.

New York Times

As of the article’s publication, neither Iranian authorities nor U.S. officials have issued formal comments on the billboard. No diplomatic or governmental response has been reported in the available sources.

New York Times

• “We Will Kill Trump” — graffiti on the billboard

New York Times

• “In memory of Minab’s children,” — graffiti on the billboard

New York Times

• “The figure’s eyes and mouth are closed and its hair is disheveled.” — New York Times description

New York Times

• “officials said the preliminary results of an investigationindicated that an American targeting error was the cause.” — New York Times reporting

New York Times