Donald Trump: Baby balloon gets home in UK museum
- Published
Do you remember this extraordinary balloon of Donald Trump? During Trump's time as president it became known as the Trump baby blimp and is now getting a new home in the Museum of London's protest collection.
The balloon was originally designed and paid for by campaigners who disagreed with Donald Trump's behaviour as president. They raised almost £18,000 to make the inflatable, which they said reflects Mr Trump's character as an "angry baby." It was first tested in Bingfield Park in north London in 2018.
The balloon came to the world's attention during Donald Trump's first presidential visit to the UK in 2018 and again during his state visit in 2019. London's mayor, Sadiq Khan, gave permission for it to fly above the city during his initial visit. There were many people who felt Mr Trump shouldn't have been given that honour by the prime minister at the time and there were protests around the UK, including here at Parliament Square in London.
There were photos of the balloon as it flew over London during the protests and it was all over social media, YouTube and TV. It's over 20ft or six-metres tall (as long as two cricket pitches) and was filled with helium to keep it afloat.
The Museum of London announced in 2019 that it was in talks to get the balloon for its protest collection. The museum says it is a fitting home, as the effigy is "a response from Londoners". Museum of London bosses said: "It was born in London... It was an extraordinary and imaginative idea."
Sharon Ament, the museum's director, said it was "determined" to acquire the object. She said: "Of course the museum is not political and does not have any view about the state of politics in the States." But she also added that the blimp is a "typical funny British response."
The balloon arrived at the museum, squashed in a suitcase, and will now be conserved and displayed for future years. "We use humour a lot. And we poke fun at politicians. This is a big - literally - example of that" said Sharon Ament.
- Published18 January 2021
- Published18 January 2021
