A towering golden "participation trophy" mocking Donald Trump has become the latest attention-grabbing protest to land on Washington's National Mall. The 10-foot satirical artwork takes direct aim at the US President's involvement in the conflict with Iran, triggering a furious response from the White House and drawing crowds eager to see the controversial display. The installation, titled "Iran War Participation Trophy," appeared on the National Mall on July 13. Created by protest art collective The Secret Handshake, it was unveiled as tensions surrounding Trump's actions toward Iran remained in the spotlight. The oversized trophy is spray-painted gold, features a bold "#1" on its cup and is embossed with the word "Participant" in raised gold lettering. But it is the plaques attached to the sculpture that deliver the sharpest attack. One plaque reads: "We hereby award President Donald J. Trump this participation trophy for his enthusiastic involvement in the Iran War." It continues by saying that while others focused on "military strategy, diplomacy, or measurable outcomes," Trump demonstrated "the courage to participate regardless of the final score." The message goes on to compare the President to children who receive awards simply for taking part. It concludes by saying the artists join Trump in celebrating what they describe as his "remarkable achievement." A second plaque continues the criticism, declaring: "No accomplishment is too distant, too small, or too unearned to bestow on President Trump." Together, the messages transform the giant trophy into a pointed criticism of both Trump's ego and his Iran policy. The Secret Handshake is no stranger to provocative public art. The collective has previously produced several installations targeting Trump, many focusing on his past association with disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Among them is "Best Friends Forever," depicting Trump and Epstein holding hands and frolicking together. Another, "King of the World," is a 12-foot statue showing the pair recreating the famous pose from the film Titanic. The group has also mocked Trump's personal style and taste through other projects, including a giant golden faux-marble toilet inspired by renovations to the White House Lincoln bathroom following his return to office. Unlike earlier installations, however, the new trophy occupies a much quieter corner of the National Mall. According to The Washington Post, previous works displayed under National Park Service permits were positioned in prominent locations directly facing the west side of the US Capitol. This latest piece instead stands near the Korean War Veterans Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, an area that receives fewer visitors. No explanation has been given for the change in location. Despite its less prominent setting, the sculpture has still attracted visitors curious to see the latest anti-Trump artwork making headlines. Images of the towering gold trophy quickly spread online, adding to the attention surrounding the installation. The White House wasted little time hitting back. Anna Kelly, a White House spokesperson, dismissed both the artwork and the people behind it in a sharply worded statement. She described the creators as "untalented 'artists'" and criticised them for commenting on foreign policy. Kelly said they should "stick to their ugly 'art'" because they "clearly know nothing" about military affairs. Defending the administration's actions, Kelly said the United States military had achieved all of its objectives during Operation Epic Fury. Her comments, quoted by The Washington Post, represented the administration's direct response to the installation's criticism of Trump's Iran policy. The latest statue ensures The Secret Handshake remains firmly in the political spotlight. Whether admired as protest art or condemned as partisan mockery, the towering trophy has once again turned the National Mall into a battleground for political symbolism—and guaranteed that the debate surrounding Donald Trump shows no sign of fading. The giant statue mocking Trump that's getting everyone talking
