A towering, gold-covered statue of President Donald Trump is drawing strong reactions online, but Pastor Mark Burns says critics who compare it to a biblical idol are completely missing the point.

The 22-foot statue, titled “Don Colossus,” was unveiled at Trump National Doral and depicts Trump raising his fist — the same gesture he made after surviving an assassination attempt during the 2024 campaign season. Covered in gold leaf and standing prominently among the property’s palm trees, the monument quickly sparked debate on social media, with some Christians questioning whether the display resembled the “golden calf” idol condemned in the book of Exodus.

Burns, a televangelist and longtime ally of Donald Trump, addressed the controversy head-on shortly after the dedication ceremony.

“Let me say this plainly: this is not a golden calf,” Burns wrote on X the night of the unveiling. “This statue is not about worship. It is about honor.”

The pastor said the monument symbolizes “resilience, freedom, patriotism, courage, and the will to keep fighting for America.” He also emphasized that honoring a political leader is not the same as idol worship.

As criticism continued, Burns doubled down days later with another post defending the tribute.

“What amazes me is how quickly some people have compared this beautiful statue, created and made possible by more than 6,000 patriots, to a golden calf or idol worship,” he wrote. “Let me be very clear. We worship the Lord Jesus Christ and Him alone. Honor is not worship. Respect is not idolatry.”

Burns also pointed to scripture in his defense, quoting Romans 13:7: “Render therefore to all their due… honor to whom honor.”

“Bowing down and worshipping an idol is sinful,” he added.

The pastor further suggested the statue serves as a reminder of what many Trump supporters believe was divine protection over the president’s life following multiple assassination attempts. Burns thanked God for “preserving” Trump, referencing the June 2024 shooting in which the president suffered an ear injury, as well as additional threats that were later thwarted.

The statue itself was financed by cryptocurrency entrepreneurs and thousands of Trump supporters, according to reports. Sculptor Alan Cottrill told Barron’s that the project had faced uncertainty for months while awaiting final payment, but he ultimately received full compensation shortly before the unveiling.

Interestingly, Cottrill said he was not invited to attend the dedication ceremony.

During the event, attendees also heard a recorded phone message from Trump thanking organizers and praising Burns for standing with him “from the beginning.”

The unveiling has reignited conversations among Christians about patriotism, political loyalty, and the line between honoring leaders and elevating them too highly. While Burns insists the statue is simply a patriotic tribute, critics continue debating whether such imagery risks sending the wrong spiritual message.

For many believers, the discussion serves as another reminder of the biblical warning found throughout scripture: that worship belongs to God alone.