WASHINGTON, DC — A striking 10-foot-tall installation resembling a marble throne with a central golden toilet was revealed on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on March 30. Named “A Throne Fit For A King,” the artwork boasts a grand throne back and armrest adorned with gold ornaments. Visitors are invited to ascend three semi-circular steps to sit on the golden fixture. A bronze plaque humorously observes, “In a time of unprecedented division, escalating conflict, and economic turmoil, President Trump focused on what truly mattered: remodeling the Lincoln bathroom in the White House.”
The piece is a critique of President Trump’s controversial and opulent redesigns, including the costly $300 million ballroom that replaced the East Wing. The anonymous collective Secret Handshake, known for their satirical works, has claimed the sculpture on the west side of the National Mall. Their past projects include a giant Trump-Epstein birthday card and a Titanic-themed statue of the duo. Secret Handshake informed Hyperallergic that they have secured a permit for the installation to remain for several days.
A plaque jests about Trump’s “crowning achievement” while a visitor poses on the “Throne Fit for a King.” A roll of toilet paper, branded with the Secret Handshake logo, hangs from a gold holder on the throne’s armrest. During a noon visit by Hyperallergic, onlookers were seen interacting with the piece, capturing photos and seating themselves on the “throne.” Security guards, hired by the artists, were present to ensure the artwork’s safety until 6 pm and encouraged interaction with the sculpture.
The unveiling of this piece coincides with ongoing protests against Trump, occurring just after the third No Kings protest that witnessed significant participation nationwide. This installation comes shortly after the Trump administration’s controversial installation of a Christopher Columbus statue and amid legal challenges from arts organizations regarding planned renovations at the Kennedy Center.
