Ohio Sculptor Alan Cottrill Says He Got 'Played' Over Golden Trump Monument

What started as a prestigious commission to create a monument celebrating Donald Trump's survival of an assassination attempt has turned into a payment dispute that's exposing the chaotic reality behind the glittering facade.

The Rush Job That Led to Financial Limbo

Ohio sculptor Alan Cottrill received the call in August 2024 to create what would become the "Don Colossus" — a towering 15-foot bronze statue covered in gold leaf, capturing Trump's iconic fist-pump moment after the Butler, Pennsylvania shooting incident. The cryptocurrency investors who commissioned the piece promised it would be unveiled by Trump himself in December or January, setting an impossible timeline.

"We worked seven days a week getting the gold leaf on this," Cottrill explained in a social media video that's now going viral for all the wrong reasons. The veteran sculptor, who has created between 16 and 19 presidential statues throughout his career, noted this was "the first living president I've ever done."

The $90,000 Problem

Despite delivering on the rushed deadline, Cottrill now finds himself in an all-too-familiar position for contractors who work with Trump-adjacent projects: waiting for payment. Of the agreed-upon $150,000 commission, he's still owed $90,000 — and he's not releasing the statue until he receives full compensation.

"I'm not giving up this statue until I get paid," Cottrill declared, holding firm on his position despite pressure from the cryptocurrency speculators who financed the project.

G20 Summit Plans in Jeopardy

The payment dispute couldn't come at a worse time for the statue's backers. The 22-foot monument (including its pedestal) was scheduled to make a grand debut at the G20 summit in Miami this December, where it would serve as both a diplomatic statement and a promotional vehicle for the investors' cryptocurrency ventures.

Without resolution of the payment issue, G20 attendees may be left disappointed, and the crypto investors' plans for their "world's biggest diplomatic stage" showcase could crumble.

Public Reaction: Mixed Support and Harsh Criticism

The sculptor's plight has sparked intense debate on social media, with reactions ranging from sympathy to harsh criticism. Supporters of Cottrill have rallied around his position, with one person suggesting he "charge a fee per person using the statue as target practice" to recoup his losses.

Others were less charitable, with one commenter bluntly stating: "You got screwed Alan. You are now part of a group of dummies who have been. 90,000 bucks down the toilet." Another added, "Loser and doesn't get it. What a fool."

Pattern of Payment Problems

This situation echoes a long-standing pattern of contractors and artists working on Trump-related projects facing payment delays or disputes. The cryptocurrency connection adds another layer of complexity, as digital currency ventures often face volatility and regulatory challenges that can impact their ability to fulfill financial obligations.

The Statue's Current Status

For now, the completed "Don Colossus" remains in storage in Zanesville, Ohio — a golden monument to both artistic achievement and contractual frustration. Cottrill maintains he's ready to install the piece immediately upon receiving his remaining payment, but until then, the statue serves as a reminder that even the most prestigious commissions can turn into financial nightmares.

The controversy has also gained renewed attention following another Trump sculpture unveiling at Mar-a-Lago, which prompted Cottrill to go public with his payment issues.

What's Next?

As the December G20 summit approaches, the pressure mounts on all parties to resolve this dispute. The cryptocurrency investors need their promotional centerpiece, Trump's supporters want to see their monument displayed, and Cottrill simply wants to be paid for his work.

Until the financial details are resolved, the "Don Colossus" will remain what it currently is: a completed artwork trapped in legal and financial limbo, serving as a cautionary tale about the gap between political spectacle and business reality.