EditWorld leaders’ ‘wax figure’ photos with Trump spark global mockery
At least a dozen leaders have been implicated in what online commentators are dubbing the "Trump Waxgate" affair
In a bizarre twist to the high-stakes diplomacy of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), several world leaders have found themselves at the centre of a viral controversy: photos purporting to show them rubbing elbows with President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at a White House-hosted dinner, only to be exposed as awkward encounters with what appear to be wax figures from Madame Tussauds.
The scandal erupted over the weekend as social media sleuths and opposition politicians dissected images shared by officials from Bulgaria, Kosovo, Australia, Japan, and beyond. What began as triumphant posts celebrating “fruitful meetings” quickly devolved into memes, fact-checks, and calls for accountability, highlighting the lengths some leaders will go to for a photo-op in the age of AI and instant scrutiny.
The Bulgarian blunder: A Prime Minister static summit
The firestorm ignited in Bulgaria when Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov posted a photo on X (formerly Twitter) on 28 September, showing him beaming alongside a stone-faced Trump. “During their brief conversation, Zhelyazkov pointed to energy and defense as some of the most important areas in which the US and Bulgaria are achieving historic successes and are rapidly deepening their cooperation”, the government website posted.
Within hours, Bulgaria’s opposition party Vazrazhdane labeled it a “national embarrassment”. “If the press release sent by the Council of Ministers represents disinformation that deliberately affects the polarization of public attitudes and reinforces public division on important issues, then this is further proof that this government is harmful to Bulgaria and must resign,” Vazrazhdane stated.
Kosovo’s Kurti: from ‘long talks’ to laughingstock
Across the Balkans, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti faced similar ridicule. On 27 September, Kurti shared two images claiming “extended discussions on Balkan stability” with the Trumps, complete with Melania’s signature poised smile. The posts, viewed millions of times, were swiftly debunked by X users employing reverse-image searches and shadow analysis.
“This isn’t a meeting; it’s a mannequin malfunction,” quipped one viral thread, noting the identical lighting on Melania’s dress across unrelated photos. Kosovo’s ethnic Albanian roots amplified the backlash, with Pristina protesters waving signs reading “Wax On, Wax Off – Kurti’s Fake Diplomacy.” Kurti, known for his fiery rhetoric on independence, defended the images in a late-night presser: “The substance of our talks matters more than the medium. But yes, the venue was… unconventional.”
The Greek press too illustrated the visit of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis with photos apparently made in the same fashion.
Mitsotakis and Trump Meet at U.S. President’s Reception in New York https://t.co/tuJfXPoXd9 pic.twitter.com/FfexHoSLaw
— Greek City Times (@greekcitytimes) September 28, 2025
But possibly the biggest faux pas was made by the President of North Macedonia Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, who took aim at critics and insisted the photo was geniune. She posted on Facebook:
Beyond the Balkans: a global gallery of gaffes
The phenomenon isn’t isolated to Eastern Europe. At least a dozen leaders have been implicated in what online commentators are dubbing the “Trump Waxgate” affair, fueled by a purported White House “template photo” of the Trumps in a fixed, regal pose – widely circulated among delegations but never officially confirmed.
Australia’s Anthony Albanese: the 27 photo with Donald and Melanie Trump sparked debate in social media about the unrealistic height of the Aussie PM, who is 5 ft 10 tall, while the U.S. President is 6 ft 3.
White House releases photo of Donald Trump and Anthony Albanese – https://t.co/yh0aM9wsSJ pic.twitter.com/wn9VlHehiR
— Lynie (@lynlinking) September 27, 2025
Japan’s Shigeru Ishiba: the outgoing Prime Minister Ishiba’s snap on 27 September was called out for its added digital grip; no wax claims per se, but the static template meme exploded in Tokyo tabloids. “Our samurai honor demands better,” lamented a Yomiuri Shimbun op-ed.
Scenes from when Prime Minister Ishiba met with U.S. President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. (Photo courtesy of the White House) https://t.co/LOtipJ0L45 pic.twitter.com/pscgIZC99J
— PM's Office of Japan (@JPN_PMO) September 27, 2025
Somalia’s Hassan Sheikh Mohamud: The president’s group shot from 27 September featured a suspiciously feathered Somali flag and Trump’s suit shadows that didn’t align. X forensics threads racked up 100,000 views, turning Mogadishu’s streets into a hub of satirical street art depicting Mohamud “melting” the wax duo under the equatorial sun.
Even Syria’s delegation, one of the few with a verified real photo, wasn’t spared speculation—opposition exiles online dubbed Melania’s unchanging smile “a Assad-level facade.”
Why the wax?
Experts trace the fiasco to the UNGA’s packed schedule, where Trump’s inner circle reportedly prioritized A-list allies like Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Indian PM Narendra Modi, leaving mid-tier delegations scrambling for visibility. Madame Tussauds, sensing opportunity, unveiled refreshed Trump-Melania figures in August 2025, complete with inauguration-era outfits—perfect props for the desperate.
Caption: A combo picture from social media shows world leaders with what appears to be wax figures of U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife Melania.
Updated: September 28, 2025 - 16:56
