Trump: one or three
dimensional man?

Various replicas of the former president generate controversy

By Byron Toben

Donald J. Trump has spent his life as a man exhibiting a one-dimensional ethos (“Me, Myself and I” don’t count to make it three). However, of late, several three-dimensional statues of him have generated comment.

In sports, awards are often designated as gold, silver and bronze. The Trumpian replicas can be described as gold (veneer), wax and wood (or whatever).

Here they are:

Gold

Fake gold Trump cufflinks – Image: eBay

At the annual CPAC convention in Orlando, Florida, in late February 2021, a giant Trump statue was paraded through the halls, replete with a blue jacket and red tie (but adding stars and stripes underpants). The head was collared gold, presumably not solid gold, but a gold veneer. Some comments likened it to the golden calf worshipped by Israelite ex-slaves until Moses admonished them.

My own more modest recollection was reading on visits to New York in the 1970s, that Trump was fond of late-night visits to the popular Elaine’s restaurant, where he would glad-hand new acquaintances by presenting them with expensive “gold” Trump cufflinks. Some recipients later reported that assays showed the links to be lead with a thin gold-coloured veneer.

Wax

I am not sure how many Wax museums may have waxen replicas of Trump, but one was in the news on March 19 last.

Trump wax statue being “attacked” – Image: big-ashb via StockPholio.net

In San Antonio, Texas, Louis Tussaud’s Palace of Wax had to remove its Trump cultural contribution as customers were punching and scratching it. An article noted that another wax museum in a more rural part of Texas – Grand Prairie – had no vandalism or disrespect for its counterpart display. Another example of the urban/rural divide?

Wood (or whatever)

An unexpected hit in China is images of Trump as a Buddha-like figure. It was initially created by Hong Jimshi, a furniture designer in Xiamen, China. Presumably carved by him out of wood, there have been many counterfeit versions by others made from resin or plastic.

Trump, whose Chinese nickname Mr. Hong informs us is “King of Knowing Everything”, would seem to be the antithesis of the Buddha who practiced self-effacement. Therein lies the humour. Anyway, a big hit in China where it is sold with the admonition “Make Your Company Great.” Mr. Hong states that he has no plans for a Biden Buddha but is considering one of Elon Musk. Keep tuned.

Feature image: Trump Budha for sale, Zzamuyu/Taobao website

More articles from Byron Toben

Byron Toben, a past president of The Montreal Press Club, has been WestmountMag.ca’s theatre reviewer since July 2015. Previously, he wrote for since terminated web sites Rover Arts and Charlebois Post, print weekly The Downtowner and print monthly The Senior Times. He also is an expert consultant on U.S. work permits for Canadians.