Trump Strips Down for German Carnival: A Tattooed Satire
Donald Trump, notably pantless and adorned with tattoos, is set to make a striking appearance at this year's German carnival festivities, a celebration known for its biting satire and provocative themes.
On Tuesday, organizers unveiled the carnival floats in Mainz and Cologne, revealing a lineup that includes not only Trump but also Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz depicted in a sinking boat, with former Chancellor Angela Merkel humorously jabbing the vessel with a trident.
Another float features Markus Soeder, the Bavarian state premier, humorously perched atop a mountain of sausages and dried meats, a nod to his social media habit of sharing food photos, complete with a sausage comically protruding from his mouth.
The floats will be paraded on Rosenmontag (Rose Monday), the climax of the German carnival season, which is marked by indulgence before the solemnity of Lent, a 40-day fasting period leading up to Easter.
"We have an abundance of political motifs," remarked Michael Bonewitz, spokesperson for the Mainz Carnival Association (MCV), which has roots dating back to 1838. "Probably the most spectacular one is Donald Trump dancing with the Statue of Liberty."
In this float, Trump is humorously depicted with “ICE” emblazoned on his right buttock, a pointed reference to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement amid ongoing controversies surrounding their actions.
The backlash against Trump's administration intensified after federal immigration agents were involved in the fatal shootings of two American citizens in Minnesota within weeks of each other.
Another float in Cologne features Trump once again without pants, this time marked with a series of kiss marks on his rear, alongside names like “Starmer,” “Fifa,” and “EU” scrawled near the lip prints. A cheeky sign directs onlookers to “kiss here!”
Last year's carnival was marred by a tragic car-ramming incident, casting a shadow over the celebrations.
"This always presents a challenge, and it’s becoming increasingly complex as security measures tighten," Bonewitz noted. "However, one must recognize that there are limits; complete protection is unattainable."
