Golden Trump statue is no idol for worship, pastor insists

WASHINGTON -- A massive gilded statue of U.S. President Donald Trump installed at his Miami golf course is definitely not a “golden calf” to be worshipped, the pastor who led a dedication ceremony for the eyebrow-raising effigy insisted Friday.

Financed by cryptocurrency entrepreneurs and supporters of Trump, the 4.6-metre tall bronze statue is covered in gold leaf -- a favourite style of the president -- and its fate had been uncertain as its creator awaited final payment for months.

But the “Don Colossus” statue, which depicts Trump raising his fist after surviving an assassination attempt in 2024, was finally unveiled Wednesday at Trump National Doral.

Televangelist Mark Burns, an ally of the 79-year-old billionaire president who led the dedication ceremony, quickly sought to get ahead of any claims of idol worship -- which is expressly forbidden in the Ten Commandments.

“Let me say this plainly: this is not a golden calf,” he said later that night on X, referring to the Old Testament idol that famously made Moses irate after he received the Commandments.

“This statue is not about worship. It is about honor,” said Burns. “It is a celebration of life and a powerful symbol of resilience, freedom, patriotism, courage, and the will to keep fighting for America.”

Apparently, many people were not convinced -- so Burns doubled down on Friday.

“What amazes me is how quickly some people have compared this beautiful statue, created and made possible by more than 6,000 patriots, to a golden calf or idol worship,” Burns wrote.

“Let me be very clear. We worship the Lord Jesus Christ and Him alone,” he reiterated.

“Honor is not worship. Respect is not idolatry.”

The devoted support among many of Trump’s followers has for years raised allegations of cult-like worship.

Some believe his surviving the June 2024 shooting with only an ear injury -- and other foiled assassination attempts -- are seen as signs of divine intervention.

The statue at Doral “reminds us of the hand of God over President Trump’s life,” Burns wrote in his initial post.

“We thank God for preserving him and not allowing his life to be taken, not once, but multiple times.”

The creator of the statue, Alan Cottrill, told AFP on Friday that after months of waiting for the payments to come through, he had finally gotten paid in full two weeks ago.

“The next day I installed the statue in Florida,” he said. “And no, I was not invited to the dedication.”