A satirical image of the President who is famed for lacking a sense of humour could end up in a museum.
The Museum of London has announced its intention, if the owner is willing, to acquire the floating orange balloon of President Trump and add his nappy wearing visage to its collection of political protests.
They also have their eye on the less well known rival floating politician – the balloon made of the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan in response to the Trump baby. That one garnered little attention as it was seen as a spiteful response to the permission granted to allow the Trump balloon to fly.
The Trump balloon was more popular, not just because the subject is reviled in the UK, but mainly because it fits in with the UK’s long tradition of political satires, from the Georgian cartoons up to modern day Spitting Image and beyond. Poking fun at our elected masters is what Britain does exceptionally well.
In an interview about appearing on Have I Got News for You, William Hague said that the reason the UK could never have a dictator is that the British public would just laugh at him and draw silly cartoons.
Humour is our best defense against autocracy.
If acquired, the balloons will join the Museum of London’s protest collection which comprises objects relating to the Suffrage movement 100 years ago, banners, flags, and tents that belonged to Brian Haw who used to actively protest outside the Houses of Parliament, as well as recent placards used by protestors against public spending cuts.
Destined to be deflated and locked away in a secure room, Donald Trump is the 45th President of the USA.
Love that last line! 😂😂😂😂😂
If only……….
The reason we have satire in England is because we elect the politician-comedians that stimulate it, especially within the Conservative Party. At present satire in relationship to Barmy Boris has been limited. but undoubtedly it will rise if the Neo-cons are daft enough to make him their leader. BTW, asking for the effigy of the London Mayor also is an example of the so-called balance imposed upon us by ‘the Establishment’.
It’s good that they’re going to get both balloons, to show how polarising both people have been.
Any museum exhibit of the Donald Blimp without the Khan one wouldn’t reflect the actual version of events. I’m sure the museum can be trusted to record the fight to get the Trump one made and flown, with perhaps a footnote referring to how these struggles ironically eased the birth of the other one. It certainly wouldn’t hesitate to state that the Trump baby had loads of coverage, the Khan one, practically little of consequence.
In my memory it was displayed at a too-late-to-the-party date and any media coverage could also be read as referring to the fair, democratic and yes balanced way of doing things in general that still goes on in human civilisation.
Nothing wrong with balance in a debate as it logically equates to both sides being heard in equal fashion and then the result has the best chance of being the most fair and accepted. If anyone seeks to change such a result whoever they may be, it matters not at all what justification they might sweeten the pill with, be it balance or objecting to the views held, say.
The joy of a damned good argument is the consequent firming of one’s own views or the collapse of them coupled with eyes being opened and a new outlook on life. That, I would argue, is in danger of being thrown out with the bathwater when these new guardians of public morality use fascist tactics to protect we poor loves.