Giant 'Trump Baby' balloon to be flown during Trump-May meet
What's the story
In a comic turn to anti-Trump sentiments, a plan to fly a giant inflatable balloon depicting Donald Trump as a diaper-clad baby has been given the green light in London. The balloon will be flown in the skies above the British Parliament during the US President's UK visit scheduled for July 13. Trump will meet British PM Theresa May during the visit. Here's more.
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UKIP ex-leader says the balloon is the "biggest insult"
"[London Mayor] Sadiq Khan has allowed an inflatable "Trump baby" blimp to fly in London. This is the biggest insult to a sitting US President ever," wrote former UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage on Twitter.
Details
The six-meter-tall balloon might go on a "world tour"
Anti-Trump campaigners raised almost £18,000 for the giant, helium-filled balloon, which stands six meters tall. The initial crowdfunding target for the balloon was £1,000. Now, participants plan to use the extra cash to send the balloon on a "world tour" to "haunt" Trump wherever he goes. Meanwhile, over 10,000 people signed a petition calling for the balloon's flight during Trump's UK visit.
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The balloon is meant to provoke the volatile Trump
"[Trump] really seems to hate it when people make fun of him. So when he visits the UK...we want to make sure he knows that all of Britain is looking down on him and laughing at him," explained Leo Murray, the man behind the idea.
Hurdles
More permissions to go, but activists remain confident
Notably, the Mayor's office in London had initially objected to the balloon being flown. But, after recognizing it as a legitimate form of peaceful protest, London Mayor Sadiq Khan gave his nod. Activists, however, will still have to get the balloon's flight ratified from the National Air Traffic Service (NATS) and the Metropolitan Police. They're confident of getting the requisite permissions.