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Golden Trump Statue Displayed in European Parliament
A golden statue of Donald Trump went on display at the European Parliament in Strasbourg as the US president faced criticism over a diesel deal with Russia.
Golden Trump Statue in the European Parliament building in Strasbourg, France.
A golden statue of US President Donald Trump has been displayed inside the European Parliament building in Strasbourg, France. The 8.5-foot-tall sculpture shows a naked Trump sitting on the shoulders of a smaller man, holding the scales of justice in one hand and a golf club in the other.
The statue is known as The Orange Plague, King of Injustice and The Naked Trump. A message on it reads: “I will do anything to help him (man he's sitting on). Except stepping down from his back.” The artwork criticises the influence of powerful leaders and suggests that their decisions can place a burden on ordinary people. The golf club also refers to Trump’s well-known interest in golf.
The display comes amid criticism of Trump’s recent diesel deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The agreement has raised questions about US policy on Russian energy and its support for Ukraine.
Trump Announces Diesel Deal With Russia
On 9 October 2026, Trump announced that Putin had agreed to supply 300,000 tonnes of diesel to the US immediately. Russia would then supply another 500,000 tonnes globally in November to help balance the global oil supply. The announcement came as fuel prices in the US had risen following the US and Israeli attacks on Iran on 28 February 2026. The conflict has disrupted global energy supplies and increased concerns about fuel costs.
Higher diesel prices affect farmers, truck drivers and other people who depend on fuel for their work and daily lives. With the US midterm elections scheduled for November 2026, the deal has also raised questions about whether the administration is trying to reduce fuel costs ahead of the elections.
Trump has also asked European countries to use their diesel reserves for some time. Reports suggest that the US may seek to keep more fuel for its domestic market instead of exporting it. However, the exact scope and implementation of any export restrictions need to be confirmed.
Why Ukraine Criticised the Deal
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticised the agreement, calling it a “gift to Putin”. He argued that allowing Russia to sell petroleum products would provide more money to support its war against Ukraine.
Trump had also urged Zelenskyy not to attack Russia’s energy infrastructure, warning that such attacks could affect global fuel supplies. Ukraine has continued targeting Russian energy facilities as part of its efforts to weaken Russia economically.
Trump then criticised Zelenskyy and suggested that Ukraine should have a new president who could reach an agreement with Russia.
“I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal because he could have made many deals and for some reason he never does,” Trump told reporters at the White House. The disagreement highlights differences between Washington and Kyiv over how to pressure Russia and bring the war to an end.
Questions Over US Policy on Russian Oil
The diesel deal has also drawn attention because of US efforts to penalise countries that buy Russian oil.
In September 2026, the US approved legislation that could allow tariffs of up to 100% on countries purchasing Russian oil under certain conditions. India was among the countries that could be affected.
This has raised questions about the consistency of US policy. If buying Russian oil helps fund Russia’s war against Ukraine, critics may ask why the US is seeking diesel supplies from Russia while considering penalties for other countries that buy its energy products.
However, the proposed tariffs were subject to specific legal conditions, and the US later waived key measures. The circumstances of the US deal and the measures proposed for other countries are not necessarily identical.
The debate centres on whether the US is applying its pressure on Russia consistently while also trying to protect its own energy supplies and consumers.
What Does the Golden Statue Represent?
The statue has drawn attention to the wider debate over political power, energy security and the war in Ukraine. Its message criticises powerful leaders whose decisions can affect people beyond their own countries.
However, the artwork should not automatically be treated as an official statement by the European Parliament or as proof that European governments oppose the diesel deal. The connection between the statue and the agreement needs to be established through reliable reporting.
The US-Russia diesel deal has raised a broader question: how can countries balance their own energy needs with efforts to limit the money available to Russia during its war against Ukraine?