The infamous Trump baby blimp will not make an appearance during President Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK, which begins on Tuesday, September 16, 2023. This visit marks Trump’s third state visit since he first came to the UK in July 2018.
History of the Blimp
The giant orange balloon, created by Leo Murray and co-designed by artist Matt Bonner, first flew Overover Parliament Square in protest of Trump’s initial visit. It was also flown during Trump’s second state visit in June 2019.
Reasons for Its Absence
Despite public speculation about its return, the creators have confirmed that the blimp will not be flown this Weekweek. Murray stated that the political climate has changed significantly since 2019, saying, “Back in 2019, Donald Trump was a figure of fun for the england/Waleswales/british/”>British public.” He expressed concern that today’s situation is “not really a laughing matter anymore.
Ownership and Safety Concerns
Murray revealed that they no longer own the blimp, having donated it to the Museum of London. He noted that following previous protests, some individuals involved with the blimp received death threats and faced harassment from far-right activists.
Potential for Future Protests
While there was consideration to bring the balloon out of storage, Murray concluded that the current political climate could pose greater risks. He suggested that personal insults may be Moremore effective in addressing Trump than traditional protest methods.
