In a striking display of political commentary, two provocative sculptures have emerged in the nation’s capital, generating widespread discussion just days before the election. One of the statues, a bronze replica of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s desk, is topped with an oversized, emoji-style poop. This artwork was positioned near the Capitol along the National Mall last week. The second statue, named The Donald J. Trump Enduring Flame, is a tiki torch sculpture unveiled at Freedom Plaza on Monday.
Both pieces appear to be critiques of former President Donald Trump and his political actions. The plaque accompanying the Pelosi desk sculpture makes a pointed reference to the Capitol insurrection on January 6, 2021, stating, “This memorial honors the brave men and women who broke into the United States Capitol on January 6th, 2021, to loot, urinate and defecate … in order to overturn an election.” It sarcastically lauds these individuals as “unbelievable patriots” and “warriors,” echoing Trump’s prior commendations of the rioters. Although named The Resolute Desk, the sculpture’s nameplate has reportedly gone missing since its installation.
The tiki torch statue recalls Trump’s controversial defense of participants in the violent “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville in 2017. Its plaque highlights Trump’s remarks about the marchers being “very fine people,” while also noting the presence of white supremacists at the event, emphasizing Trump’s claim that they were “treated absolutely unfairly.”
The creators of these thought-provoking works remain anonymous, but a permit request from Civic Crafted LLC and Julia Jimenez-Pyzik received approval from the National Park Service. Jimenez-Pyzik, who produced the film Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, stated in an interview with the Washington Post that her involvement in the statues was minimal and had “absolutely nothing to do” with her film work.
Both sculptures have attracted attention from locals and tourists, sparking varied reactions. Maryland resident Grace Denman described them as “thought-provoking,” while D.C. local Paige Muller referred to them as a “great reminder of what’s at stake.” However, some attendees considered the sculptures inappropriate, indicating a divide in public sentiment.
These installations are temporary, with plans for their removal before Election Day. The Pelosi desk sculpture is set to be taken down on Wednesday, while the tiki torch statue will be removed on Thursday.