A dramatic tribute to former President Donald Trump's defiance is taking form in an Ohio artist's studio.
According to Breitbart News, renowned sculptor Alan Cottrill is crafting a larger-than-life bronze statue commemorating Trump's response to the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, last July, with plans to unveil it at his upcoming inauguration.
The ambitious project, commissioned by crypto investors behind $PATRIOT, aims to capture the moment when Trump, despite being wounded, stood defiantly before his supporters with a bloodied face, repeatedly shouting "Fight!" before Secret Service agents whisked him away. This unprecedented artistic undertaking represents Cottrill's largest single-figure creation to date.
The statue's creation process involves intricate steps, beginning with clay molding before transitioning to individual bronze pieces that will be welded together. Project leader Dustin Stockton revealed the statue's completion is expected by New Year's.
Cottrill, whose previous works include the Thomas Edison statue in the U.S. Capitol's Statuary Hall, shared his perspective on the project's significance. As stated by Cottrill:
I've sculpted and cast 400 life size or larger bronze statues across America and the Patriot Statue is our largest single figure to date. The Patriot Statue of Donald J. Trump was our largest and most controversial undertaking, especially considering the scale and relevance of the event in Butler that took place.
The statue's journey won't end with its inauguration unveiling. Plans include a year-long cross-country tour aboard an 18-wheeler equipped with a crane before potentially finding a permanent home in Butler.
Butler County officials have expressed enthusiasm about the statue's potential impact on local tourism and economy. Kim Geyer, Butler County Board of Commissioner Vice Chair, believes the statue could become a significant attraction.
The Farm Show grounds, where the assassination attempt occurred, is being considered as a possible location for the statue. However, as private property, the decision rests with the grounds' board of directors rather than county officials.
Bradford County Board of Commissioners Chairman Doug McLinko predicted substantial economic benefits for the region. He emphasized the statue's drawing power, stating he would personally make the four-and-a-half-hour journey to view it.
In addition to the main statue, Cottrill is creating ten smaller 18-inch bronze replicas valued at approximately $3,000 each. These "Patriot Awards" will be presented to key figures in the Make America Great Again movement during a pre-inauguration ceremony.
The project team envisions the statue's ultimate destination at the future Trump Presidential Library, following its nationwide tour and potential temporary placement in Butler. Project organizers are currently coordinating with the Inaugural Committee regarding the logistics of the statue's unveiling ceremony.
The two-story Trump statue project, born from a dramatic moment in American political history, represents both artistic achievement and historical commemoration. Once completed, this bronze monument will stand as a testament to Trump's survival of the July 2024 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, while its nationwide tour and planned permanent installation will ensure its place in American political memorabilia.
The statue's journey from Cottrill's studio to its eventual home, whether in Butler or the Trump Presidential Library, reflects the complex intersection of art, politics, and historical memory in contemporary America.
