Indian American Floats A “Felon Don” Before Trump’s Inauguration

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC — On January 18, a towering inflatable dubbed “Felon Don” was displayed on the Ellipse near the White House, drawing significant attention and sparking conversation ahead of Donald Trump’s second inauguration. The installation was the work of Taran Brar, a filmmaker and activist from Southern California, who described the effort as part of his “public service.”

“The message now, with the Supreme Court making decisions on official acts and immunity, along with President Trump’s statements, really has me concerned,” Brar told Newsweek.

In May 2024, Trump became the first former president convicted of a felony, facing 34 counts of falsifying business records related to hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. Additionally, in August 2023, a federal grand jury indicted Trump on charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States, obstructing official proceedings, and conspiracy against rights for his attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Brar isn’t new to political commentary. In 2017, he placed a 60-foot inflatable chicken with golden hair, nicknamed “Chicken Don,” near the White House, symbolizing Trump’s refusal to release his tax returns and alleged reluctance to confront Russian President Vladimir Putin. A year later, the “Chicken Don” reappeared in San Francisco Bay, clad in a prison uniform aboard a boat labeled “Alcatraz Prison Transport.”

“[‘Felon Don’ is] similar to the chicken motif,” Brar explained. “It’s surrounded by jail bars. It’s a commentary on the Supreme Court’s stance on presidential immunity and how such immunity may not shield him from international repercussions.”

Brar emphasized the role of free speech in democracy. “We all grew up here being educated in a democracy with free speech. We want that to survive. We want everyone to be free to express themselves,” he said.

The display of “Felon Don” was briefly interrupted when Secret Service agents ordered the area cleared for “presidential movements and motorcades.” However, the inflatable was fully installed and livestreamed on YouTube and Instagram.

Before Trump’s inauguration, thousands gathered here, to voice opposition. The DC People’s March, organized by multiple activist groups, began on January 18 and culminated in a rally at the Lincoln Memorial. Despite severe weather, an estimated 50,000 protesters attended.