A large, satirical throne that incorporates a golden toilet was placed on the National Mall in Washington as a pointed critique of President Donald Trump’s recent interior projects at the White House.
Styled to resemble marble with gold accents, the piece substitutes a toilet for a traditional seat. Affixed to the installation is a plaque that reads, "A Throne Fit for a King." Another plaque on the work states: "In a time of unprecedented division, escalating conflict, and economic turmoil, President Trump focused on what truly mattered: remodeling the Lincoln bathroom in the White House." It continues: "It stands as a tribute to an unwavering visionary who looked down, saw a problem and painted it gold."
The appearance of the throne comes amid a wave of renovations that the administration has undertaken since President Trump returned to office last year. Among the projects noted by critics and supporters alike are the remodeling of the bathroom off the Lincoln Bedroom, added gilding throughout the Oval Office, the demolition of the East Wing to make way for a new ballroom, and plans to redevelop the Kennedy Center performing arts venue.
Responding to a request for comment about the throne, White House spokesperson Davis Ingle sent an emailed statement asserting that Trump was "making the White House and our entire Nation’s Capital more beautiful than ever before." Ingle added: "The president will never stop working on behalf of the American people and fulfill the promises that he was overwhelmingly elected to do."
The statue also includes a roll of toilet paper labeled "The Secret Handshake." A group using that name has claimed responsibility for a prior statue that depicted President Trump and the late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein holding hands, according to U.S. media reports. Reuters could not immediately reach the group for comment.
The National Park Service, which manages the National Mall, had no immediate comment when asked about the installation.
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Brief context and observations
The throne’s placement on the National Mall serves as an overtly visual protest focused on the appearance and priorities of the White House projects. It coincides with tangible structural and decorative changes at the presidential residence and broader redevelopment plans tied to Washington institutions.