Gilded statue mocking Trump installed on National Mall before Veterans Day

The Guardian reported that a new gilded statue titled The Foot Soldier was installed on Washington’s National Mall on Monday, just two days before Veterans Day. The work, placed near the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden, depicts former President Donald Trump seated and rubbing his bare foot. The piece was created by Secret Handshake, a collective of anonymous artists, and satirises the bone spurs Trump was diagnosed with – a condition that allowed him to defer the Vietnam‑war draft. By positioning the sculpture on the Mall ahead of the nation’s remembrance of military service, the artists appear to link the visual gag to broader discussions about draft deferments and veteran recognition. The installation adds another politically charged artwork to the capital’s public spaces, joining a series of recent pieces that target contemporary figures.

Why it matters

The statue’s timing and subject highlight ongoing public debate over historical draft deferments and the use of public art to comment on political leaders.

Key details

Location

Vietnam · Asia

Reported by

The Guardian

First reported

10 Nov 2026, 20:42 IST

Key names

DC, Donald Trump, Trump, Foot Soldier

Section

World

Sources

This is an independent summary. Read the full, original reporting from the publisher:

• The GuardianGilded statue in DC mocks Trump for ‘dodging’ Vietnam war draft over bone spurs 10 Nov, 20:42

Read the full story at The Guardian ↗

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