Washington, D.C. – The satirical inflatable Trump chicken, known as Chicken Don, is set to make its return to the nation’s capital on August 22nd and 23rd, 2026. The 30-foot balloon, which depicts President Trump as a chicken, will be making its ninth appearance since its initial debut outside the White House in 2017. The inflatable will coincide with the IndyCar race at the nearby National Mall in D.C.
Chicken Don is the brainchild of Taran Singh Brar, a documentary filmmaker and protest artist who previously studied molecular and cell biology at UC Berkeley. Since its debut, Chicken Don has become a symbol of anti-Trump sentiment, making appearances at various protests and events, including outside the White House and the UN headquarters in Geneva. The balloon serves as a mocking representation of the President, often referred to as a “coward” for his alleged refusal to release his tax returns and stand up to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The latest version of Chicken Don, known as the “TACO – Trump Always Craps Out” tour, features the President’s signature hair styled as a poop emoji. This is a direct reference to reports that President Trump may be backing out of his lawsuit against the BBC in order to avoid disclosing his financial records.
In a statement, Brar explained the continued success and relevance of Chicken Don, stating, “Nine years in, the joke still works because it doesn’t ask anyone to be afraid, just protest. Washington is the seat of what we’re satirizing, so it felt right to close out this summer’s run here.”
The inflatable’s 2026 tour has already made stops in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Copenhagen, with its final stop being in Washington, D.C. The balloon will be located at Constitution Avenue NW and 10th Street, inviting the public to join in on the satirical protest against the current administration.
