Trump's Proposed Presidential Library Draws Comparisons to Authoritarian Monuments

California Governor Gavin Newsom points out the striking similarities between Trump's planned gold statue and statues of notorious dictators.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 9:19am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A photorealistic painting depicting a solitary gold statue of a political figure standing in a dimly lit urban setting, with warm diagonal sunlight and deep shadows creating a cinematic, nostalgic atmosphere.The controversial proposal for a towering gold statue of the former president in his planned presidential library raises concerns about the cultivation of a personality cult.Today in Miami

Donald Trump's planned presidential library in Miami, Florida has sparked controversy due to the inclusion of a towering gold statue of the former president. California Governor Gavin Newsom drew comparisons between the proposed statue and monuments associated with authoritarian regimes, sharing a collage that juxtaposed the Trump statue with statues of Kim Il Sung, Mao Zedong, and Saparmurat Niyazov. The library plans emphasize spectacle and Trump's political brand over traditional research-focused facilities.

Why it matters

The inclusion of the large gold statue in Trump's presidential library design has raised concerns about the former president's apparent desire to cultivate a personality cult, similar to those seen in authoritarian states. This raises questions about the purpose and tone of the library, which appears to prioritize Trump's brand over scholarly research and historical preservation.

The details

The concept footage for Trump's presidential library, released by his son Eric, depicts a large gold statue of the former president raising his fist before a seated audience. This statue has drawn comparisons online to monuments associated with notorious dictatorships, such as those of Kim Il Sung in North Korea, Mao Zedong in China, and Saparmurat Niyazov in Turkmenistan. California Governor Gavin Newsom shared a collage highlighting these similarities on social media. The planned library itself appears to be more of a multimedia showcase centered on Trump's political brand, rather than a traditional research-focused facility, with features like gold escalators, replicas of the Oval Office, and a ballroom, but no visible books.

  • The concept footage for Trump's presidential library was released on Monday, March 31, 2026.
  • Governor Newsom's social media post comparing the proposed Trump statue to authoritarian monuments was made shortly after the library footage was released.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States, who is planning to build a presidential library in Miami, Florida.

Eric Trump

The son of Donald Trump, who released the concept footage for the proposed presidential library.

Gavin Newsom

The current governor of California, who drew comparisons between the proposed Trump statue and monuments associated with authoritarian regimes.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The gold statue in Trump's new library (of himself) looks awfully familiar to a few others from around the world.”

— Gavin Newsom, Governor of California

“This landmark on the water in Miami, Florida will stand as a lasting testament to an amazing man, an amazing developer, and the greatest President our Nation has ever known.”

— Eric Trump

What’s next

No specific next steps have been announced regarding the proposed Trump presidential library. The project is still in the early planning stages, and it remains to be seen how the design and focus of the library will evolve in response to the growing controversy over the inclusion of the large gold statue.

The takeaway

The plans for Donald Trump's presidential library in Miami have raised concerns about the former president's apparent desire to cultivate a personality cult, similar to those seen in authoritarian regimes. The inclusion of a towering gold statue of Trump himself, as well as the emphasis on spectacle and Trump's political brand over traditional research and historical preservation, has drawn comparisons to monuments associated with dictatorships. This controversy highlights the ongoing debate over Trump's legacy and the appropriate way to commemorate his presidency.