Trump Baby Blimp undergoes test inflation

The Trump Baby Blimp, first flown in Parliament Square in July 2018, has been inflated by the Museum of London as they undertake conservation analysis on the object.

Created by protesters who opposed Trump’s visit to the UK, the blimp depicts the former President as a giant baby clutching a mobile phone and was gifted to the Museum of London in January 2021.

Specialist manufacturers checked the balloon to see if it is structurally sound, how long it holds air for, as well as making any necessary small repairs. The inflation test is part of a longer process of conservation analysis of the blimp to plan for its long term preservation and any future display. It is hoped it will go on show at Museum of London’s new home in West Smithfield, due to open in 2026.

A spokesperson from the Museum of London said: “It is always a challenge to preserve objects that are meant to be short-lived like the Trump Blimp. It was made to be flown over Parliament square during the then President Trump’s visit to London in 2019, a quick, flexible and visible icon, as opposed to the permanent statues in parliament square made from the much more durable materials.

We have worked together with scientists at University College London and the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia to analyse the composition of the plastic. The blimp is made from PVC material, it is soft and flexible and very thin, much like a giant beach ball. Plastics age and break down in sometimes unexpected ways, so this will help us establish how we can best preserve it in long term as part of our collection.”

The inflation is the final test being carried out as part of the museum’s acquisition process. The balloon will join other pieces in the Museum of London’s protest collection which comprises objects relating to the Suffrage movement 100 years ago, banners, flags, and tents from Brian Haw’s peace camp outside the Houses of Parliament, ‘Putin’s Happy’ - a video capturing post-Brexit Leave and Remain protests by artist Jeremy Deller, as well as placards from protests for more accessible public transport.

A blimp of Sadiq Khan, floated in the capital in 2018 in protest against some of the Mayor’s policies and advocating for free speech, has also been acquired by the museum.