President Trump’s campaign recently issued a round of digital ads asking people to support his reelection bid as he stands up to those targeting statues, monuments, and memorials.
One of the ads, which ran on Facebook and Instagram, featured a photo of a statue of Jesus along with the words, “WE WILL PROTECT THIS.” There’s only one problem: The statue isn’t in the United States. The photo depicted Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s iconic Christ the Redeemer statue.
Trump campaign ads over the weekend vowed to protect a new statue: “Christ the Redeemer” in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil https://t.co/8BdKz6kdfe pic.twitter.com/iFob0uSRl3
— Lachlan Markay (@lachlan) July 6, 2020
The president has vowed in recent weeks to protect statues, memorials, and monuments as those depicting controversial figures have come under attack amid protests against systemic racism and police brutality. Demonstrators have defaced and torn down many across the country honoring Confederate leaders, slave owners, and others with ties to racism or oppression.
Some have even suggested depictions of “white Jesus” should be removed as well.
In addition to authorizing law enforcement agencies to arrest statue vandals, Trump also signed an executive order aimed at protecting such statues and prosecuting to the fullest extent of the law those caught destroying monuments.
