Tommy Zegan, the artist behind the golden statue of Donald Trump at CPAC, is an American expat living in Mexico, revealed Politico Playbook on Saturday. Zegan reportedly crafted his sculpture south of the border, in Rosarito, according to the outlet.
According to Zegan, he created the 200-pound fiberglass statue with the help of three men in Rosarito, then transported it to Tampa, Florida, where it was painted with chrome - only for this trip to finish in Orlando at the CPAC conference, where the golden Trump stole the show on Thursday.
Those willing to own the statue, according to the sculptor, now have that opportunity.
“If someone offered me $100,000 I’d take it,” Zegan told Playbook.
Netizens found the origin story of the golden Trump ironic, recalling the former president's stance on Mexico.
"Gold Trump statue was made in Mexico. They're not sending us their best", one user wrote in a tweet.
"The golden Trump statue was made in Mexico by an American expat who lives there, because the universe is intent on destroying the possibility of satire.", another noted.
"LOL. Mexico didn't build the wall, they built the golden idol.", another user said.
A statue of Trump assembled in Mexico has to be the most ironic thing I've seen this year.
— lisa zehr (@Bellalocca) February 27, 2021
Did they have to get a green card for it? How did it get past the 'amazing wall'? How do the Christians feel about worshipping a false idol against God's commandment?
Trump's notorious promise on Mexico paying for his border wall in Texas was also recalled immediately.
The golden statue of Donald Trump that has caused a stir at CPAC. was made in Mexico. (Mexico didn't pay for it either)
— Make Us Healthy Again 🌎🌊 (@GottaWakeUpPlz) February 27, 2021
Just like some of his other policies.
America first I see....
— Debrann (@wallflower2323) February 27, 2021
Some suggested that the statue might have inherited more Mexican features than appeared at first sight.
If it was made in Mexico, has anyone checked to see if it’s really a piñata?
— Louis Weinstein (@LouisWein) February 27, 2021
Earlier in the week, the statue was blasted online for what some users saw as its biblical undertone, comparing it with the golden calf - the idol that, according to Christianity's Old Testament, was worshipped by Israelites in the absence of Moses who ascended Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments.
