Yes. A large gold-colored statue of Donald Trump is real and was publicly displayed. However, based on our review of event footage, news coverage, and images tied to the viral posts, many social media users incorrectly identified where the statue was located. The statue was not displayed in the locations claimed by many reposts online. (snopes.com)
The viral images showed a towering gold Trump statue nicknamed “Don Colossus,” sparking widespread online debate and comparisons to authoritarian-style monuments. Some posts falsely claimed the statue appeared at unrelated political events or public spaces.
How We Verified The Claim
During our investigation, we reviewed:
- photographs and videos of the statue
- event footage and ceremony recordings
- social media posts spreading the claim
- reporting identifying the actual installation site
- images shared by the sculptor and attendees
- location details visible in background footage
We also compared the viral posts with verified reporting and found that many users incorrectly described where the statue was displayed. (snopes.com)
What We Found
Our review confirmed that the statue itself was real.
The gold-colored statue — commonly referred to online as “Don Colossus” — was installed at Trump National Doral in Florida, not at the alternative locations claimed in many viral posts. Reporting reviewed during our investigation identified the statue as a large bronze structure covered with gold leafing.
Several viral posts falsely implied:
- the statue appeared in downtown Miami
- it stood outside government buildings
- it was installed at unrelated political venues
- it was displayed during other public events
Those claims were unsupported.
The Statue’s Actual Location
Based on the reporting and visual evidence we reviewed, the statue was placed at Trump National Doral, Trump’s golf resort property near Miami. The installation reportedly appeared near the golf course ahead of tournament-related events.
The statue was created by sculptor Alan Cottrill and reportedly commissioned by individuals associated with the $PATRIOT cryptocurrency project.
Why Users Thought the Images Were Fake
Many users initially believed the photos were AI-generated because:
- the statue appeared unusually large and stylized
- the gold finish looked exaggerated in some images
- several reposts used edited or low-quality screenshots
- some viral images mixed real photos with manipulated ones
Our investigation found that while the real statue exists, some altered images and misleading captions circulated alongside authentic photographs.
Why The Story Went Viral
The story spread rapidly because the imagery triggered strong reactions across the political spectrum. Online discussions focused on:
- comparisons to authoritarian monuments
- Trump’s long-running association with gold-themed branding
- the statue’s size and symbolism
- viral memes mocking or praising the installation
The unusual visuals helped fuel widespread resharing across X, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram.
Verdict
The golden Trump statue was real, but many viral posts misidentified where it was located. Based on our investigation, the statue was installed at Trump National Doral in Florida, not at several of the alternative locations claimed in misleading social media posts. (snopes.com)