Pastor Defends Golden Trump Statue From Biblical Backlash
Newsweek • • nation
Key Points:
- Pastor John Mark Burns unveiled a 22-foot golden statue of Donald Trump at Trump National Doral Miami, describing it as a symbol of resilience, freedom, patriotism, and courage, while emphasizing worship is reserved for Jesus Christ alone.
- The statue, named “Don Colossus,” was funded by 6,000 supporters and sculpted by Alan Cottrill, with the project dating back to before Trump’s second inauguration and involving a delayed payment dispute.
- The unveiling sparked controversy, with critics accusing it of violating biblical prohibitions against idolatry, while Burns and Trump supporters defended it as a tribute, not worship.
- Burns, a longtime Trump ally and former member of his Evangelical Executive Advisory Board, highlighted that the statue honors Trump’s perceived contributions to America, amid strong evangelical support for the former president.
- The event intensified debates over personality-driven political branding and religious symbolism, drawing both support from pro-Trump religious figures and condemnation from progressive Christian leaders.
