Trump Chicken, Deflated

The Trump Chicken has served as SOMA Action’s unofficial mascot and honorary fundraising chair for the majority of the organization’s existence. He spent many a summer afternoon towering over front lawns all around Maplewood and South Orange, encouraging those who spotted him to join the fight to save our democracy. And while he was a loyal guest of (dis)honor at rallies, fundraisers, and get-togethers, a change in administration means a new direction for SOMA Action, so his services are no longer needed.

A larger-than-life icon deserves a proper send-off, so on the evening of January 20th, after the swearing in of President Joe Biden, the Trump Chicken left the local garage he called home and made one last appearance at a SOMA Action gathering in Ricalton Square. SOMA Action President Ritu Pancholy invited attendees to write messages to our 45th president on the Chicken, take a picture of their message for posterity, and watch as the Chicken was deflated in effigy.

Amy Higer, the Chicken’s long term caretaker, found triumph and catharsis in the Chicken’s final moments. "As Trump Chicken began to deflate for the last time on Inauguration Day, just as he began to tumble forward, someone near me in the crowd said: 'Ding Dong. The Wicked Witch is dead!' That captured the moment for me. We just have to make sure he doesn't rise again.”

Valyrie Laedlein, longtime SOMA Action member, says the final deflation was a bag of mixed emotions for her. She says she felt “a bit of remorse that we won't have a ridiculous inflated icon around which to toast and organize ourselves - but deep hopefulness that we will sustain our activism for social and racial justice, a strong democracy, and environmental responsibility.”

Fear not, fellow activists - the Trump Chicken may be officially retired, but SOMA Action perseveres. Keep an eye on our blog for details on our future endeavors.

Below are pictures of the Trump Chicken’s sendoff taken by local photographer Morgan Triska.