UK: Release of “Baby Trump” balloon to protest US President’s visit

The 6-meter-tall "Trump Baby" is "an inflatable baby with a fierce face and tiny hands." Photo: CNN

Trump arrived in the UK on July 12, where he plans to hold talks with Prime Minister Theresa May and have tea with the Queen.

The balloon was designed to speak to Trump “in a language he understands, which is personal insults,” said Leo Murray, the balloon launch organizer.

The orange balloon is 6 metres tall, and has “little hands, a tiny mobile phone and a giant diaper”.

According to plan, this balloon will be released at 9:30 local time (15:30 Vietnam time), and will fly at an altitude of up to 30 meters for 2 hours - coinciding with the schedule of the first protest scheduled to take place in central London on July 13.

Murray explained that while some people may feel uncomfortable with the idea of ​​mocking the US President, he feels Trump's policies have created an atmosphere where “normal diplomatic rules have been significantly suspended.”

“I feel like if we have a leader who is stopping due process for some of the most vulnerable people in the world and taking children away from their parents at the border and putting them behind bars – then I don't think we should be polite to this man,” he said.

Trump’s plans were carefully orchestrated to avoid planned protests, but it was clear he was aware of “Baby Trump.” Asked if he was concerned about protests during his visit, Trump told reporters in Brussels on July 12: “I think they like me being in the UK,” and asserted that the British shared his concerns about immigration, stressing that “that’s why Brexit happened.”

Murray said organizers “don’t really care” whether Trump sees or reacts to the balloon. “It’s just about getting the country’s spirits up and putting smiles on the faces of people who are starting to lose hope in the political situation,” he said.

Sarah Elliott, chairwoman of the UK-based Republican Overseas chapter, told CNN she didn't think Trump would be fazed by the stunt.

“I think whenever the detractors get to him, it just strengthens him and really encourages him to keep going and prove people wrong,” she said. “So I think that’s what that balloon did.”

As of July 12, more than 1,900 people had contributed to the balloon’s fundraising campaign, raising more than £30,000, or nearly $40,000. Organizers now say they hope to fly the balloon “around the world,” in keeping with Trump’s international diplomatic engagements.

Organizers are awaiting final approval from the National Aeronautics Administration before launching the balloon on the morning of July 13. Photo: CNN

The request to launch the “Baby Trump” balloon was approved by London Mayor Sadiq Khan earlier this month. Khan, who has a notoriously rocky relationship with Trump on Twitter, approved the unusual request after more than 10,000 people signed a petition.

The mayor of London has been outspoken in his opposition to Trump's visit, criticising the US president for his tweets following last year's terror attacks in London.

And Khan is not alone in his views. Trump postponed his visit to the UK several times when a petition to stop him entering the country gained enough signatures to be debated in Parliament. The Speaker of the House of Commons made it clear that Trump would not be invited to address MPs. The petition against Trump making a state visit embarrassed the Queen.

Murray said the upcoming balloon protest was also a protest against the British government for inviting Trump, against the wishes of the British people, meaning that nearly 2 million people had signed the petition.

Protests are planned to take place in London throughout July 13.