Gilded Statue on Washington National Mall Criticizes Donald Trump's Vietnam Draft Deferment

A gilded statue depicting Donald Trump sitting and rubbing his bare foot was installed on Washington’s National Mall near the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden. Titled The Foot Soldier, the art installation appeared on Monday, two days before Veterans Day.

The artwork was created by an anonymous artist group known as the Secret Handshake. A plaque attached to the statue refers to allegations that Trump avoided the Vietnam war draft in 1968 by obtaining a medical diagnosis of bone spurs in his heels following his college graduation.

Accompanying the statue was a six-foot-tall interactive mascot named "Toey," dressed to represent a toe suffering from bone spurs. A person wearing the mascot costume interacted with visitors near the display, according to statements from the artist collective.

The Secret Handshake stated that the installation would remain on the National Mall through Veterans Day. The group has previously erected other satirical statues concerning Trump, including pieces referencing his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and his remodeling of the Lincoln bathroom.

White House spokesperson David Ingle responded to the installation in a statement, characterizing the artwork as the result of partisan opposition. Ingle stated that the president remains focused on fighting for and protecting the American people.

Trump has faced previous allegations regarding his draft deferment. In 2018, a New York Times report questioned the authenticity of the bone spurs diagnosis, and in 2019, former Trump attorney Michael Cohen testified to Congress that the president deliberately avoided military service.