Story perspectives

Strasbourg removes Trump satirical “Orange Plague” statue

By Drooid · Oct 9, 2026, 6:13 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Fico Calls Removal

European Parliament in Strasbourg displayed a satirical statue of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Danish artist Jens Galschiøt created the 2.6-meter gold-leaf “The Orange Plague” sculpture, unveiled on October 6.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico called the work “a sign of the decline of the European Union” and urged removal.
The statue was taken down on Wednesday, October 8, after a two-day exhibition.

Summary

Galschiøt Distributes Protest Statues

Artist Jens Galschiøt gave roughly 20,000 3D-printed miniature statues to exhibition visitors.
Jens Galschiøt released the design files online so anyone can print their own versions.
The mini statues are marketed as protest symbols or “mascots” against U.S. President Donald Trump.
After Strasbourg, the sculpture will travel to the COP31 climate conference in Turkey in November.

History

Historical Context

In October 2008, as Iceland’s banking collapse sparked mass protests—up to 2,000 demonstrators on Austurvöllur and an 80,000-signature petition against UK anti-terrorism measures—the Althing displayed a wooden statue of U.S. President George W. Bush. The episode foreshadowed later political satirical installations, such as Jens Galschiøt’s “The Orange Plague” targeting Donald Trump in the European Parliament.

1 of 3

Fico Calls Removal

European Parliament in Strasbourg displayed a satirical statue of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Danish artist Jens Galschiøt created the 2.6-meter gold-leaf “The Orange Plague” sculpture, unveiled on October 6.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico called the work “a sign of the decline of the European Union” and urged removal.
The statue was taken down on Wednesday, October 8, after a two-day exhibition.

1 / 3