Trump Defends Controversial Golden Statue Amid Criticism of Idolatry

Former President Donald Trump has defended a newly unveiled 22-foot golden statue of himself located at the Trump National Doral Miami golf course, asserting that it will eventually become a landmark. The statue, dubbed 'Don Colossus' and covered in gold leaf, was commissioned by the $PATRIOT cryptocurrency group and over 6,000 supporters. Its unveiling, led by Pastor Mark Burns, has sparked significant debate and mixed reactions. While Trump praised the supporters as patriots, critics, including late-night hosts Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart, have mocked the installation. Some religious commentators drew parallels to the biblical golden calf, prompting Pastor Burns to issue a statement clarifying that the statue represents patriotism, not idol worship. The sculpture, created by Alan Cottrill, depicts Trump raising his fist, referencing his posture after the 2024 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. This controversy follows recent criticism Trump faced for posting an AI-generated image of himself resembling Jesus. The statue's release was delayed from its original inauguration timeline due to internal disputes among the design and commissioning teams.