A gold-painted statue of Donald Trump clutching his right foot surfaced Monday on the National Mall, two days before Veterans Day. The anonymous artists behind the installation say the piece skewers the president’s Vietnam War-era draft deferments for bone spurs.
How The Secret Handshake created its latest Washington protest installation
The Secret Handshake, a collective of anonymous artists, planted the statue near the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden. The statue shows Donald Trump seated, grimacing, and gripping his right foot. A sign reads “The Foot Soldier,” while a plaque mocks his military record and quotes Trump saying, “I can be very military.”
For those not in the know, Donald Trump received five deferments during the Vietnam War—four for college and one for bone spurs. The group’s statement said it wanted to recall “a time when Donald Trump would do whatever it takes to stay out of combat.”
The collective has installed more than a dozen pieces across Washington, including a Trump-Epstein statue and a Pelosi desk replica targeting January 6 rioters. A go-between secures National Park Service permits for the projects.
White House spokesman Davis Ingle dismissed the effort: “Trump Derangement Syndrome is a sick and incurable disease that has rotted the brains of these Democrat activists. President Trump will never waver in fighting for and protecting the American people.”
Nonetheless, a performer in a giant toe costume labeled “TOEY” stood beside the statue and told passersby: “I’m the biggest toe. The hugest toe. Huge. Hugest toe. Largest toe that anyone’s ever seen.”
The person declined to give a real name, citing fears of retaliation. Onlookers gathered throughout the morning. Stephanie Farrell of New Jersey called the work “funny-sad.” Martin Lowenfish commended its “subversive” quality.
Jonathan Myers, a former Air Force member from Florida, said, “Dodging the draft is a big thing. I think, as president, you should have served in the military (via The Washington Post).” As of writing, the president has not publicly commented on the statue.
