World

Fact check: Was Trump's golden statue at Mar-a-Lago vandalized? Here's the truth behind viral photo

A giant statue of President Donald Trump was unveiled at Mar-a-Lago: the 79-year-old’s resort-cum-residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on Wednesday, May 6. The photo has since grabbed headlines with critics accusing the POTUS of being obsessed with himself.

Donald Trump speaks at an event hosting the 2026 College Football Playoff national champions Indiana University. (AP)

Meanwhile, a photo has been circulating on social media that claims that the statue at Mar-a-Lago was vandalized. The photo went viral big time on X, Facebook, TikTok and other social media platform.

In the viral photo, the golden statue can be seen purportedly dismembered and lying on the ground near the pedestal where it originally stood. However, the image is likely AI-generated, and in line with a host of other AI reimaginations of the image.

Ht.com can confirm that Trump’s golden statue at Mar-a-Lago was not vandalized. No news reports or official updates from Mar-a-Lago have confirmed the incident.

Here’s the viral photo:

This story is being updated.