Disney just pulled a major stealth move in the dead of night—and yes, it involves that now-infamous “Trump Walt” statue.
After setting the internet ablaze with a bizarre sculpture that looked more like Donald J. Trump than Walt Disney, the company has quietly reinstalled the weather vane atop its Disneyland 70th Anniversary display… minus the signature swoop that made everyone do a double take last week.
Backstory: The statue that looked a lot like a certain President
If you missed the chaos: fans lost it last week when a decorative topper—part of the Disneyland 70 display in the esplanade—was unveiled featuring a stylized silhouette of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse. The problem? The “Walt” looked suspiciously like Trump. We’re talking big forehead, dramatic swoop of hair, fuller face. The internet noticed immediately.
Matt Desmond shared the update on X, “They fixed Walt in the Disneyland esplanade!”
They fixed Walt in the Disneyland esplanade! https://t.co/tkHnKybBjx pic.twitter.com/myWcLEB4Af
— Matt Desmond (@DisneyScoopGuy) May 13, 2025
The fix: Disney’s quiet cover-up?
By Sunday morning, Disney yanked the statue entirely—leaving just a bare pole where the topper once stood. No comment. No explanation. Nothing.
But as of today? It’s back.
Only this time, Disney made a not-so-subtle change: the hairstyle has been trimmed down and reshaped, ditching the Trumpian swoop and aiming more for classic Walt. It’s still stylized, but the facial features are softer and less… let’s just say “presidential.”
It’s a fix, but it’s also a clear attempt to dodge the drama.
Why this matters (a lot more than you think)
Disney doesn’t just remove something mid-installation unless it’s a real problem. And the timing couldn’t be worse. With the company already locked in political beef with Trump—including fresh DOJ and FCC investigations and the ex-president constantly calling Disney “woke”—this sculpture was like lighting a match near gasoline.
Putting out that fire? Critical.
Especially with the 70th Anniversary celebration kicking off May 16.
The vibe Disney wants? Wholesome nostalgia, family magic, a tribute to Walt. The vibe they got? Accidental political tribute, viral backlash, and fans asking “who approved this?”
No word yet if Disney will officially address the statue switcheroo. They likely won’t. But for now, the tweaked topper is back in place—and fans are already noticing the difference.
One Disneyland regular summed it up perfectly: “Still stylized, but no longer nightmare fuel.”
Translation? Crisis (mostly) averted. But in the court of public opinion, Disney knows it can’t afford another slip-up this big—especially not when it involves Walt’s image, and definitely not with Trump in the headlines.
