Overview
- The anonymous art collective Secret Handshake installed a 10‑foot gold trophy on the National Mall that labels President Trump a “participant” in the Iran war and invites visitors to donate their own trophies.
- The statue, placed July 13, features a plaque that mocks Trump’s appetite for prizes and compares his role in the conflict to children who get awards for just showing up.
- The White House publicly denounced the work, with spokeswoman Anna Kelly calling the artists “untalented” and reiterating that U.S. forces achieved their objectives during Operation Epic Fury.
- Reporters observed smaller trophies and personal items left at the base of the monument, and the group said the piece will remain for several days as a hands‑on protest against current policy choices such as a proposed naval blockade and fees on Strait of Hormuz traffic.
- Coverage links the stunt to Secret Handshake's history of satirical Mall installations and notes the display sharpens public debate over the restarted U.S.–Iran strikes by turning presidential image‑making into a focal point for dissent.