A fifteen-foot-tall, gold-covered statue of Donald Trump now dominates the landscape of his Florida golf course. The imposing figure, quickly dubbed ‘Don Colossus,’ depicts a triumphant pose, fist clenched in the air.
The statue isn’t a celebration of a past victory, but a depiction of the moment following a 2024 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. It’s a bold, almost surreal monument, costing an estimated $300,000 to create.
However, the creation of ‘Don Colossus’ has been marred by financial dispute. Sculptor Alan Cottrill alleges he is still owed $75,000 for the intellectual property rights to his work.
Cottrill was initially paid $360,000 by a cryptocurrency group, $PATRIOT, to create the statue. The dispute arose when the group allegedly exploited the statue’s likeness to produce commemorative coins.
Despite the ongoing legal battle, the statue now stands prominently at Trump’s Doral golf course in Miami, a gleaming testament to a controversial figure.
The Trump family has publicly distanced itself from the coins produced using the statue’s image. Eric Trump stated on social media that they have no involvement with the coin’s production.
Yet, internal communications paint a different picture. Messages from Pastor Burns, an organizer involved with the statue, reveal that Trump himself requested photographs of the golden monument.
The unveiling of ‘Don Colossus’ coincides with a broader movement to cement Trump’s legacy in American iconography. This surge in tributes comes as the nation prepares for its semiquincentennial celebrations.
Soon, up to 30,000 American passports will feature a photograph of Donald Trump, a first for a living president. These passports will be available at the Washington DC passport office before July 4th.
The push for Trump’s image extends beyond passports. Proposals are underway to include his signature on all new US dollar bills – another unprecedented move for a sitting president.
A gold commemorative coin, bearing Trump’s image, is also being considered to mark the country’s founding. These initiatives represent a significant effort to integrate Trump’s likeness into the fabric of American identity.
Further solidifying this legacy, Trump has also proposed ambitious architectural projects, including a new White House ballroom and a monumental archway at a key entrance to Washington DC from Virginia.
