A satirical art installation featuring an ornate golden toilet throne appeared on Washington’s National Mall this week, serving as pointed commentary on President Donald Trump’s extensive White House renovation projects.
The elaborate display, designed to mimic marble and gold styling, showcases a toilet in place of a traditional throne seat, accompanied by a sign declaring “A Throne Fit for a King.”
One of the installation’s plaques delivers sharp criticism, stating: “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 stands as a tribute to an unwavering visionary who looked down, saw a problem and painted it gold.”
Since returning to the presidency, Trump has initiated sweeping renovation projects throughout the White House and broader Washington area. His changes include updating the bathroom adjacent to the Lincoln Bedroom, incorporating extensive gold accents in the Oval Office, demolishing the East Wing to construct a ballroom, and developing plans to redesign the Kennedy Center performing arts facility.
White House spokesperson Davis Ingle defended the renovation efforts in a written response, stating Trump is “making the White House and our entire Nation’s Capital more beautiful than ever before.”
“The president will never stop working on behalf of the American people and fulfill the promises that he was overwhelmingly elected to do,” Ingle commented when asked about the satirical throne installation.
The artwork includes toilet paper bearing the text “The Secret Handshake,” which matches the name of a group that previously claimed credit for another controversial statue depicting Trump alongside deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein. Media outlets were unable to contact the organization for confirmation.
Officials from the National Park Service, which oversees the National Mall, have not yet provided any statement regarding the installation.
