Just in Time for Outrage Over Russia, the ‘Trump Baby’ Protest Blimp Is Coming to America
The Trump Baby balloon—already infamous from its maiden flight over London’s Parliament Square last week during President Donald Trump’s visit—is now coming to the US. The protest work, designed by Leo Murray, caught the eye of New Jersey activist Didier Jimenez, who now plans to fly the balloon in New Jersey during Trump’s visit to his golf course in Bedminister next month.
More than 100,000 protesters took to the streets in London following Trump’s arrival to England. Above them, a 19-foot-tall diaper-clad baby bobbed in the wind, easily recognizable as a caricature as the president by its golden thatch of hair, smart phone for Tweeting, and open-mouthed snarl.
“The baby Trump is not just a piece of humor, but it is also a symbol of the administration. It’s symbolic of the children that are in cages, it’s a symbol of racism, and we know that he hates to be ridiculed,” Jimenez told NJ.com.
It took less than 24 hours for Jimenez and local protest group the People’s Motorcade, which frequently targets Trump when he is in town, to reach their $4,500 goal on GoFundMe. Currently, they have raised $9,901, and have secured a Trump Baby balloon to arrive stateside in four weeks. Organizers hope to tour Trump Baby up and down the East Coast, and are seeking permission to fly the balloon in New York’s Central Park.
“At protests, we hope to engage in conversations with folks about how to combat the terrible policies enabled by Trump and how we can support new progressive candidates,” Jimenez told the Philly Voice. “I believe I will get emails and threats about what I am doing, but I believe we need to have courage and stand up to fascism and hate.”
Back in the UK, the Trump Baby creators are still raising money on Crowdfunder to enable the balloon to go on a world tour.
“After a month of incredible public support and frankly overflowing international press coverage Trump Baby made his inaugural flight,” reads a message announcing a new crowd-funding target. “We’ve had countless requests for Trump Baby to visit countries all over the world under threat from a visit from the orange terror. So, let’s fund a global travel fund for Trump Baby and ensure a global rolling trolling of everyone’s least favorite pop-up tyrant.”
The project has currently raised £34,343 ($45,460) of its £40,000 ($52,950) goal, with nine days left to go in the campaign.