A toweringgold statueof Donald Trump surrounded by praying pastors, cheering supporters and waving American flags has ignited one of the most bizarre political spectacles of the year.
The massive monument, unveiled at Trump National Doral Miami this week, quickly became the centre of an online firestorm after evangelical leaders gathered around it in a prayer ceremony that critics compared to idol worship. Supporters called it patriotic. Opponents called it cult-like. Either way, the dramatic scene has once again shown how deeply religion and Trump politics have become intertwined inside the MAGA movement.
The controversy erupted afterevangelical leaders assembledat Trump National Doral Miami for the unveiling of a giant gold-leafed Donald Trump statue known as 'Don Colossus'.
The statue stands roughly 22 feet tall on top of a seven-foot pedestal surrounded by palm trees at the Florida golf resort owned by Trump. It depicts the president with his fist raised in the air, recreating the moment after the July 2024 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Videos shared online showed pastors placing their hands toward the statue while praying as supporters applauded nearby.
The dedication ceremony was led by evangelical pastor Mark Burns, one of Trump's closest religious allies. Burns has repeatedly claimed Trump is protected by God and framed the monument as a patriotic tribute rather than a religious object.
Trump reportedly joined the gathering by phone to thank guests and supporters attending the event.
Just two days later, another blessing ceremony reportedly took place at Mar-a-Lago, further fuelling attention around the statue and the growing MAGA evangelical movement surrounding Trump.
Critics flooded social media with comparisons between the gold statue and the 'golden calf' story from the Bible, where idol worship enraged Moses after he received the Ten Commandments. Burns quickly responded to those accusations.
'Let me say this plainly: this is not a golden calf,' he wrote online after the ceremony. 'This statue is not about worship. It is about honour.' The pastor insisted the monument symbolised resilience, freedom, courage and patriotism rather than religious devotion.
Source: International Business Times UK
