Donald Trump wax statue pulled from museum after being punched too many times
A wax statue of Donald Trump has been pulled from a museum in San Antonio, Texas, after repeated incidents saw multiple people physically attack the figure.
The wax figurine had to be removed from Louis Tussaud’s waxworks after the Trump figure sustained multiple injuries, including evident, visible scratches on his face. This meant that his likeness eventually had to be retired from public view because, quite frankly, he had been punched one too many times.
A spokesperson for Ripley Entertainment reacted to the news. Suzanne Smagala-Potts, stating first and foremost, “It’s a presidential figure”.
Smagala-Potts continued, “Sometimes people will take a swipe at them, but they did that with Obama, Bush, and they’ve done it with celebrity figures as well. It’s just something that happens.”
As per the San Antonio Express-News, Ripley’s regional manager, Clay Stewart, also weighed in on the attacks. He shared, “When it’s a highly political figure, attacks can be a problem.”
Additionally, figures can experience wear and tear when attendees take pictures with them. Some opt for a casual arm slung over their shoulder, thereby knocking the figures and potentially damaging their material.
It has not been clarified when the Trump statue will return to the exhibit, but workers in the know have suggested that they are likely waiting to put it back on display when a depiction of President Joe Biden, which is still being made, is ready for its first artistic debut alongside the current President of the United States.
The life-like Trump statue parades two thumbs up and his usual deadpan stare, offering attendees of the exhibit the most life-like example of the politician. The team at Louis Tussaud’s waxworks have stressed that they are not a political organisation, thus they have no bias. It appears that they will not be seeking out the culprits of the damage at this time.
The divisive President has been at the heart of many art controversies, including an occurrence earlier this year, when a visceral art installation made by a student at Kent State University caused a global uproar after depicting Trump’s head on a spike.