Authorities have removed a provocative sculpture depicting Donald Trump appearing to urinate on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese after it was erected in a Melbourne park. The installation, titled "The Golden Opportunity," mysteriously appeared overnight in Gordon Reserve, opposite Victoria's Parliament House.
The statue featured Trump standing over a kneeling Albanese, with a fountain spraying water from Trump's waist. A plaque on the monument read, "May I lick your boots, boss?" and included sexually explicit text referencing the two leaders.
City of Melbourne rangers dismantled the unauthorized installation Friday morning. A spokeswoman confirmed that council officers responded promptly and that the statue and its improvised plinth were removed. The council is reviewing Safe City Camera footage and will provide relevant material to Victoria Police upon application.
Victoria Police confirmed they have launched an investigation into the incident, which occurred around 7 a.m. Friday. Investigators are working to determine if any criminal offenses are related to the erection of the statue. Police are urging anyone with information, dashcam or CCTV footage to contact Crime Stoppers.
The activist group The New Radicals has claimed responsibility for the artwork. This is not the first time the group has targeted politicians with controversial public art stunts. Previous installations included an explicit statue outside the Geelong electorate office of Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and a "S*** Premier Safe Disposal Bin" outside Victoria's Premier Jacinta Allan's office.
Social media reactions from some Australians were largely amused by the stunt, with comments calling it "hilarious" and "gold." Others expressed disappointment that the statue would not remain on public display.