White House Slams 'Distasteful' Anti-Trump Sculpture Amid Army Anniversary Celebration

On June 17, 2025, a provocative 8-foot-tall sculpture titled “Dictator Approved” was erected on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., sparking controversy for its apparent criticism of President Donald Trump’s military parade held on June 14 (The Washington Post). The White House swiftly condemned the artwork, calling it an “eye-sore” and emphasizing the freedoms that allow such protests in the United States.

The sculpture features a gold-painted hand giving a thumbs-up while crushing the Statue of Liberty’s verdigris crown, with one of its spikes broken off. The pedestal bears the inscription “Dictator Approved” and four plaques displaying quotes from authoritarian leaders, including Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, praising Trump. According to a National Park Service permit, the anonymous creators intended the artwork as a rebuke to Trump’s June 14 parade, which they claimed featured imagery reminiscent of autocratic regimes like North Korea, Russia, and China (The Daily Beast). The statue, located near Third Street NW, is permitted to remain until June 22, 2025.

White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson issued a scathing statement, describing the sculpture as an “eye-sore” and underscoring the irony of its presence: “If these Democrat activists were living in a dictatorship, their eye-sore of a sculpture wouldn’t be sitting on the National Mall right now. In the United States of America, you have the freedom to display your so-called ‘art,’ no matter how ugly it is”.This response highlights the administration’s view that such protests are possible only because of the democratic freedoms upheld in the U.S., contrasting with the statue’s accusations of authoritarianism.

The June 14, 2025, parade along Constitution Avenue was a historic celebration of the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, marking its establishment on June 14, 1775, by the Second Continental Congress (U.S. Army). The event, attended by thousands, featured over 6,000 soldiers, 128 tanks, and a 21-gun salute, showcasing American military might (PBS NewsHour). Coinciding with President Trump’s 79th birthday, the parade fulfilled a long-standing vision of the president, inspired by a similar event he witnessed in Paris in 2017.

In his speech, Trump praised the military’s valor and resilience, stating, “Tonight, we affirm with unwavering certainty that in the years ahead, and in every generation hence, whenever duty calls and whatever danger comes, the American Soldier will be there. No matter the risks, no matter the obstacles, our warriors will charge into battle, they will plunge into the crucible of fire, and they will seize the crown of victory because the United States of America will always have the grace of Almighty God and the iron will of the United States Army” (White House). These remarks underscored the parade’s patriotic purpose and Trump’s commitment to military strength.

Thousands of Americans attended the parade, many wearing “Make America Great Again” hats and patriotic gear, despite light rain (Fox News). On X, supporters expressed enthusiasm, with one user proclaiming, “Best Parade I’ve ever watched!! Trump knows how to celebrate America and put on a show!!!” (X post). Another described it as “fantastic, historic, educational, mesmerizing, moving and emotional,” praising Trump’s speech as “perfect” (X post). These reactions reflect strong support among Trump’s base, viewing the parade as a celebration of national pride.

The “Dictator Approved” sculpture and the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary parade encapsulate the polarized state of American politics. While the White House and Trump supporters celebrate the parade as a patriotic tribute to the military, critics use provocative art to challenge the administration’s actions. The administration’s response to the statue underscores the strength of American democracy, where dissent is permitted, even if deemed distasteful. As the statue remains on display until June 22, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing debate over leadership, liberty, and national pride.