In recent days, a completely red sculpture of the President of the United States, Donald Trump, appeared unexpectedly in the heart of Manhattan, right in front of The News Building, at the intersection of East 42nd Street and 2nd Avenue.
Trump was depicted from the waist up, emerging from a manhole in a suit, tie, with a serious expression, plenty of hair, and pursed lips. Next to him, peeking out from the drain cover, a small rat of the same color emphasized the symbolism.
This provocative figure was installed clandestinely by the French artist James Colomina, who simply titled it "Donald".
Created in lifelike resin, the sculpture was conceived, carved, and painted in Colomina's studio in France over the course of three weeks. It was then disassembled, shipped to New York, and reassembled in situ.
Shared on her Instagram account with the caption “Make America Grime Again”, the piece is part of a series of installations through which Colomina breaks into public space to denounce the excesses of power.
As the author himself explained: “I wanted this image -a red body emerging from the sewers- to disturb that landscape.”
Colomina is known for installing political works in public spaces without prior notice.
A disturbing image for an emblematic city
Colomina chose New York as the setting not by chance. The Big Apple represents for him the heart of the myth constructed by Trump.
“Here he built his image, his empire, his legend. A city he tried to conquer with golden towers and brutal slogans,” he explained.
Therefore, placing the leader literally at ground level, emerging from the underground, takes on an even more powerful meaning.
The artist stated that he wanted to juxtapose the grandeur of New York's skyscrapers with the "grotesque" figure of his sculpture.
"This skyscraper is a symbol of power, elevation, and architectural pride. I liked the idea of creating a brutal contrast between this magnificent verticality and the emergence of a grotesque figure from the sewers," he stated in remarks to the U.S. press.
Colomina is not merely trying to portray a controversial figure, but rather what he represents: “Trump does not appear at the top, but at ground level, where the city suppresses what it does not want to see. It is a kind of counter-monument.”
For him, the leader symbolizes much more than a political stage: “He has fueled fear, deepened division, and injected a form of vulgarity into the political sphere.”
"I do not seek to represent a man, but rather what he symbolized and continues to symbolize: hatred of the other, withdrawal, and violence disguised as leadership," he added.
Conflicting reactions: between applause and disdain
As is often the case with his interventions, the installation generated immediate reactions. On social media, the artist's post received expressions of both disapproval and praise, such as: "I love this," "genius," or "highly evocative."
From the White House, spokesperson Abigail Jackson responded sarcastically: “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”
"This 'artist' will have to go back to the drawing board. Or perhaps to art school," she added.
The authorities removed the sculpture shortly after its installation.
"They took her away, I don't know what they are going to do with her", Colomina declared to the portal Actu Toulouse.
A trajectory of provocations in red
The piece dedicated to Trump adds to a long list of critical sculptures created by James Colomina in various corners of the world.
In 2022, a figure of Russian President Vladimir Putin was installed in Central Park, depicted as a child playing on a tank.
In Paris, in 2020, he presented a sculpture of Emmanuel Macron to denounce the trivialization of poverty. More recently, in 2024, he surprised audiences in Toulouse with an upright figure of Abbé Pierre in a deconsecrated church.
In all of his works, the common denominator is the intense red color, symbolizing urgency, anger, and confrontation.
According to the Galeries Bartoux website, “The 'Rojo Colomina' [...] embodies the anger, passion, and urgency of the themes it tackles.”
Moreover, the artist's methodology is clear: without prior notice, he installs his pieces in everyday spaces to transform them into settings for reflection. "This work is a continuation of my efforts: to subvert the symbols of power to reveal what disturbs, what divides, what degrades," he states.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Controversial Trump Sculpture in New York
Who is the artist of the red sculpture of Trump in New York?
The sculpture was created by the French artist James Colomina. Colomina is known for his provocative political art pieces in public spaces, which he installs without prior notice to spark reflection and debate.
Why did the Trump sculpture generate controversy in New York?
The sculpture depicts Trump emerging from a sewer alongside a rat, which was interpreted as a critique of his persona and what he represents. The work was removed by the authorities after eliciting mixed reactions from the public, receiving both praise and condemnation.
What is the symbolism behind the sculpture of Trump created by James Colomina?
Colomina explained that the sculpture aims to contrast the grandeur of New York's skyscrapers with the "grotesque" figure of Trump emerging from a sewer. The artwork intends to denounce the excesses of power and symbolize what the city and the country prefer to hide.
How was the Trump sculpture made and transported?
The sculpture was modeled in life-sized resin in Colomina's studio in France. It was disassembled, sent to New York, and reassembled in the location chosen by the artist for its installation, in front of The News Building in Manhattan.
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