Trump’s fascination with gold aesthetics fuels criticism from religious observers uneasy with his imagery, branding

Published May 10, 2026 10:46AM (EDT)

The golf course at Trump National Doral now features a 22-foot golden statue of its namesake. (Ben Jared / PGA TOUR / Getty Images)

A newly unveiled 22-foot gold-colored statue of Donald Trump at Trump National Doral in Florida is reigniting a familiar debate surrounding the former president: when does political branding begin to resemble religious symbolism?

The statue, which quickly drew online comparisons to the biblical “golden calf,” has sparked criticism from some Christian commentators and religious writers who argue that the imagery surrounding Trump increasingly blurs the line between political loyalty and personal reverence.…