Donald Trump baby blimp to be put in London museum
A blimp depicting US President Donald Trump as a nappy-wearing orange baby is being rehomed in a London museum.
The 20ft balloon was flown in the capital twice when Mr Trump visited the UK, as a mark of protest in both 2018 and 2019.
Organisers said at the time the inflatable presented a ‘serious message to tackle President Trump’s rhetoric of hate’.
It was originally paid for through crowdfunding and has flown in other countries such as France, Ireland, Denmark and Argentina since.
And now it will join the Museum of London’s protest collection – which includes artefacts from movements including the Suffragettes, peace rallies and climate change.
Sharon Ament, the museum’s director, said: ‘By collecting the baby blimp, we can mark the wave of feeling that washed over the city that day and capture a particular moment of resistance.
‘From the Suffragettes of the early 20th century to the anti-austerity marches, free speech and Black Lives Matter most recently – the capital has always been the place to have your say.’
The creators of the blimp said they hoped it would serve as a reminder of the fight against the ‘politics of hate’.
‘While we’re pleased that the Trump Baby can now be consigned to history along with the man himself, we’re under no illusions that this is the end of the story,’ said the organisers, who include climate change activist Leo Murray.
‘We hope the baby’s place in the museum will stand as a reminder of when London stood against Trump – but will prompt those who see it to examine how they can continue the fight.’
The news comes as Mr Trump is set to step down as president this week, with Democrat Joe Biden’s inauguration taking place on Wednesday.
He leaves deep divisions across the country after four years in which he took the country out of a global climate change agreement, imposed harsh immigration policies, launched a trade war with China and played down the coronavirus pandemic.
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