A towering 12-foot statue of Elon Musk, bearing the phrase “MAKE AMERICA WAIT AGAIN,” has made surprise appearances in several of America’s most beloved national parks — including Mount Rainier National Park in Washington. The statue, part of an anonymous art installation, is turning heads and sparking heated conversations across social media.
While it may appear like a political statement, its creators say the true aim is far more civic than partisan: to protest recent budget cuts and layoffs in the National Park Service (NPS) — and to demand public attention on the growing strain within these treasured spaces.
A Protest in Plain Sight
The sculpture, which sits atop a trailer and is flanked by patriotic stars and satirical slogans like “Now With Longer Lines Thanks to DOGE Cuts,” has popped up at parks including Yosemite, Arches, and now Mount Rainier. Its arrival has drawn crowds of curious onlookers, ranging from amused tourists to frustrated critics.
According to an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, the anonymous backer behind the installation — identifying only as a “concerned citizen” — said the project was born out of frustration with dwindling support for the National Park Service and what he perceives as public apathy.
“This isn’t about party politics,” he explained. “This is about awareness. Thousands of rangers and staff who love and protect these parks have lost their jobs or seen their work crippled. Nobody’s talking about it anymore. We wanted to change that — even if it meant doing something weird and loud.”
Why Elon Musk?
The choice of Elon Musk was no accident. The artist explained that Musk was selected as a symbol — not just for his polarizing public persona, but because of his former advisory role in the Trump-era Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The nod to Musk and the fake acronym “DOGE cuts” is a satirical jab at governmental belt-tightening.
“Musk embodies the idea of disruption,” the backer said. “He’s simultaneously worshipped and reviled. But using his image in this setting forces people to stop and think.”
And people certainly have. Park visitors at Mount Rainier over the weekend reacted in every way imaginable — snapping photos, flipping the statue off, giving it a thumbs-up, or simply staring in disbelief.
“It ran the full American spectrum,” the backer said. “Exactly what we were hoping for.”
Mount Rainier: A Symbolic Stop
The group chose Mount Rainier specifically for this leg of the tour due to the park’s summer congestion. With long lines, overflowing parking lots, and understaffed ranger stations, the park served as a live example of the consequences of budget cuts.
“It’s one lane in and one lane out,” the artist said. “You can’t even park to see the iconic spots anymore. It’s poetic in a way. The statue isn’t the problem — it’s a mirror to the real problem.”
Behind the Statue
The sculpture itself was built by a Michigan-based artist the backers found online. Their requirements? Something large, photo-realistic, and meme-worthy — complete with Musk’s signature smug smirk.
“We really wanted the smirk,” said the backer. “That very self-satisfied look that could go either way — admiration or mockery.”
While the project was not connected to any nonprofit, activist group, or political action committee, it did require funding. The backer declined to share the exact cost but emphasized it was entirely self-funded “by people who care.”
Viral Impact
The Musk statue has gone viral on Reddit and TikTok, with a flurry of comments from users:
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“Somehow it looks both better and worse than Elon.”
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“They nailed the smugness.”
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“Who the hell paid for this?”
According to the backer, the attention proves the piece’s success: it’s making people talk — and hopefully think.
“We live in a media cycle that forgets everything in 48 hours,” he said. “But the effects of these budget cuts are long-lasting. This is a weird, funny way to not let people forget.”
Beyond Politics
While the messaging deliberately riffs on Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan, the backer insists it’s not a partisan dig.
“The parks belong to everyone — Democrats, Republicans, independents. This issue should transcend politics,” he said. “We’re not asking people to pick a side. We’re asking them to look around and see what’s being lost.”
Even his decision to give an exclusive interview to Fox News Digital was intentional. “You’re not the outlet people would expect for something like this,” he explained. “That’s why it’s perfect. Because this is a national issue — not a blue or red one.”
What’s Next for the Statue?
The statue’s next destination remains a mystery. But the anonymous team behind the campaign says it will continue its national park tour — popping up unannounced to keep the message alive.
“I’m not going to say where or when,” the backer said. “But we’re not done.”
He emphasized that the National Park Service isn’t just a federal agency — it’s a national treasure. “People don’t become park rangers for the paycheck. They do it because they love nature and want to preserve it. When we lay them off or stretch them thin, we’re hurting something that brings us all joy.”
A Final Message for Musk
When asked what he’d say directly to Elon Musk, the backer didn’t hesitate:
“Stick to making cars — and stay out of government.”
Conclusion: A Monument to Neglect
The Elon Musk statue may be humorous, even absurd. But beneath the spectacle lies a serious message about budget cuts, overlooked public servants, and a park system stretched to its limits.
In a nation increasingly divided, the anonymous backer hopes this piece of “guerrilla performance art” serves as a unifying moment — a strange reminder that the things we all cherish need our attention, funding, and care.
And until they get it, the statue — and the conversation — won’t be going away anytime soon.
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