A group of religious leaders in Florida has denounced the unveiling of a golden statue of Donald Trump at the Trump National Doral golf course in Miami, labeling it as an act of "idolatry." The ceremony, recently led by evangelical pastor John Mark Burns, has stirred significant controversy.
Nicknamed "Don Colossus," this 22-foot-tall sculpture, valued at $450,000, depicts Trump raising his right fist—a gesture he made after surviving an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024.
The ribbon-cutting event, presided over by Burns—who serves as a spiritual advisor to Trump and is a member of the Pastors for Trump board—was met with immediate backlash from the state's clergy.
Religious Leaders Speak Out
Pastor Laurinda Hafner from the Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ expressed being "deeply disturbed" by the event. "When we build an imposing golden image of an elected official, we are no longer merely giving thanks to God. We are visually elevating a human being in a way that blurs the line between legitimate gratitude and idolatrous devotion," Hafner declared.
She further insisted, "In my Christian faith, no president, no party, no nation should be worshipped."
Sharp Criticism and Concerns
Reverend Arthur Jones III, minister of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Fort Myers, was more blunt in his criticism of pastor Burns and other religious leaders aligned with Trump. "What he has done is outrageous. He is not teaching the gospel. He is actually advocating and teaching idolatry and blasphemy," Jones asserted.
Jones also highlighted that Trump's approach to religious freedom aligns more with Christian Nationalism than Christianity itself, adding that "it's becoming increasingly difficult to tell the two apart."
Response and Defense
Reverend Nyya Toussaint from First Church Miami noted that Burns introduced the biblical "golden calf" reference to preempt accusations that those surrounding Trump idolize him.
Responding to the criticism on May 8, Burns took to X to cite several biblical passages, distinguishing between "honoring" and "worshipping." "Giving honor where honor is due is biblical. Bowing down and worshipping an idol is sinful. There is an important difference," Burns wrote.
Burns compared the tribute to statues dedicated to figures like Michael Jordan, Cristiano Ronaldo, or Taylor Swift, arguing that the sculpture symbolizes "resilience, patriotism, courage, and gratitude" and was created by over 6,000 donors.
The White House denied any official involvement in the event, although Burns claimed that Trump called and addressed the crowd during the ceremony.
Hafner concluded her stance with a call to her followers: "Our worship belongs only to God and not to any golden image, and certainly not to any president. Faithfulness at this moment means turning our eyes away from golden statues and towards our neighbors who are hungry, who suffer, and who need justice and compassion."
Key Questions About the Golden Trump Statue Controversy
Why did religious leaders criticize the golden statue of Trump?
Religious leaders criticized the statue because they view it as a form of idolatry, elevating a human figure in a way that they believe is inappropriate in their faith.
What does the statue of Trump symbolize according to its supporters?
Supporters, including pastor John Mark Burns, argue that the statue is a symbol of resilience, patriotism, courage, and gratitude, created through the contributions of over 6,000 donors.
How did the White House respond to the unveiling of the statue?
The White House denied any official involvement in the event, although pastor Burns stated that Trump called and addressed the crowd during the ceremony.