Statue lampoons Trump's second term with 'participation trophy'

Washington D.C. – A new piece of protest art has appeared on the National Mall, taking aim at President Donald Trump's foreign policy and his second term. The anonymous art group, The Secret Handshake, is behind the "Iran War Participation Trophy," a statue standing over 10 feet tall that satirizes the conflict and the administration's justifications.

The artwork, constructed from wood, foam, and plaster, is situated near the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. It depicts a large, cup-style trophy with handles, emblazoned with "#1" on the front and "Participant" on the base. A plaque accompanying the statue humorously awards it to Trump "for his enthusiastic involvement in the Iran war," highlighting his "courage to participate regardless of the final score."

The Secret Handshake, previously known for installations such as a statue of Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, has stated that the trophy mocks the pursuit of recognition over tangible outcomes. In an email statement, the group said, "We didn't make up the idea of a big dumb trophy as being important. He did." They further commented on Trump's perceived disinterest in peace after not receiving a Nobel Prize, suggesting the war is driven by a need for "recognition and shiny gold things."

This installation critiques the justification for the ongoing conflict, which has lasted months, while Trump has repeatedly claimed it is nearing completion or has already been won. The group aims to visualize the "stupidity of the war's justification" by mimicking Trump's ostentatious style. Visitors are invited to add their own trophies to the display, with plastic ones already accumulating at its base.