Anti-Trump Clown Protests Planned Across America

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Daily Beast

Updated Jun. 13 2025 5:46AM EDT
Published Jun. 12 2025 7:42PM EDT


Protesters planning demonstrations during Donald Trump’s birthday military parade have been urged to wear clown outfits and other festive attire as they mock the “spectacle” in Washington on Saturday.

After a week of clashes in Los Angeles, activists have also ramped up safety workshops, de-escalation tactics and first-aid training to avoid violent confrontations with authorities.

Despite the president’s threat that anyone raining on his parade would be met with “heavy force”, about 1800 demonstrations are expected to take place in cities and towns across the US in a national day of defiance. Among them are a series of nation wide protests called “Kick out the Clowns”, which will occur alongside the “No Kings” demonstrations this weekend.

“It really occurred to us how much of a spectacle this is - not just the parade but also the administration,” said Women’s March managing director Tamika Middleton, whose group is part of a coalition running the event. “He’s a reality show president, and a very unserious leader, so we’re really recognizing how much of a circus the government has become.”

Read more: https://www.thedailybeast.com/anti-trump-clown-protests-planned-across-america/

[FalloutShelter]

1. Sooooo... let me get this straight...

We protest the Circus by looking like we are the Circus?

Well is at is sure to BURN them when they use it against us in every screen shot.

[BumRushDaShow]

4. It's called

"mocking".

[FalloutShelter]

5. I am aware.

I think this will get us mocked.

[BumRushDaShow]

7. There are literally thouands of protests that will be going on

and I expect that whatever costumes that people wear might be shown as an afterthought. One would hope that the knee-bending M$M will even cover much from the protests. There might be a lot of "local coverage" but the national media will probably focus on the ego parade.

I think people might recall the minimal mention of the 500,000 or so who protested Shrub's war during one huge event that was barely covered back then.

[FalloutShelter]

8. I hope you are right my friend.

[BumRushDaShow]

11. There will probably be a lot of "puppetry" going on out there too

We had a street performance/ "protest puppet" artisan group who would bring their puppets to marches, etc., but one of the tropical storms flooded their warehouse a few years ago and they lost a bunch but are trying to recoup. But here were their "dancing mailboxes" during the 2020 election vote count here in Philly -

As a similar example, the below was from back in 2012 during the GOP's annual "defund PBS" period - https://www.tpr.org/2012-11-03/theyre-furry-and-furious-puppets-protest-at-the-u-s-capitol



So there will be A LOT of "street performers" out there - clowns, drag queens, puppeteers, stilt-walkers, etc.

[Conjuay]

15. We're gonna get mocked either way.

Bread and carnivals.

[littlemissmartypants]

6. It helps to actually understand how authoritarianism works. Plus, the historic significance of the clown.

ACTIVIST CLOWN TOOLKIT: Become An Activist Clown Mocking Authoritarianism

HAVE FUN AND BE MORE EFFECTIVE IN YOUR PROTESTS --De-escalate tension and create more Instagrammable moments when you learn to utilize clowning as a playful means to address the injustices of authoritarianism. Clowns have always been society’s tricksters - exposing truths, mocking power, and bringing disruption & play to the frontlines of protests.

THE UNIQUE SPACE A CLOWN OCCUPIES derives its power from being on the fringes, from being not-quite-like-the-others, being a commentator, a rebel, a soothsayer.

--STREET THEATRE is the key ingredient in STRATEGIC NONVIOLENT ACTION. Explore clown as trickster, shaman, spectacle: who heals and critiques by disrupting the status quo.

DISCOVER YOUR ACTIVIST CLOWN Tap into your inner activist clown with Indivisible activist Sheridan Hill and her UK colleague Robyn Hambrook www.robynhambrook.com A UK-based director, teacher and performer, Robyn is a passionate practitioner of clowning, physical theatre, circus and street arts, and founder of the Bristol Clown School.

?si=exIH0NdS31Ee17Ws

-AN ANTIDOTE TO THESE OVERWHELMING TIMES, this four-part series will prepare you to speak truth to power at your next event, make a more significant impact than ever before, and have so much fun at the same time.

-A TRICKSTER’S GUIDE TO PLAYFUL REBELLION will explore the rebellious history and tactics of activist clowning, from ancient fools to modern disruptors. Through history, case studies, and hands-on exercises, we’ll play with the tools of satire, spectacle, and collective mischief to challenge the status quo—one red nose at a time.

--FIRST FOUR TUESDAYS IN JULY AT NOON EDT, this 4-part workshop series explores the dynamics of clowning; from the deeply regenerative practice of play, presence and pleasure to the liberation in being ridiculous, transgressive and rebellious.
...
Over the past six years, Robyn Hambrook has been researching the intersection of clowning and protest driven by a deep desire to address the injustices in the world. This research has taken place in the streets, in protests, in research labs, online, with international collaborators and her Masters Research; ‘Small Circus Acts of Resistance’.

Robyn’s recent collaborations and teaching projects include the Nomadic Rebel Clown Academy (5-day Activist Clown Training), The Laboratory of the Un-beautiful (Feminist Grotesque Bouffon Training for Womxn Theatre Makers) and the Clown Congress (annual gathering of clowns, activists and academics collectively exploring what it means to be a clown in this current era). Robyn has most recently founded the Bristol Clown School, creating a home for clowning in the South West of England. www.robynhambrook.com / www.bristolclownschool.co.uk

Here's the link if you'd like to sign up:
https://www.mobilize.us/indivisiblewestmetro/event/788802/

❤️🤡

[BumRushDaShow]

9. Yeah, the concept goes back to the old "Court Jester" (or "Fool", etc)

who was the satirist.

[littlemissmartypants]

12. Exactly!

The use of masks predates even the court jester.

It's the relationship between comedy and tragedy.

They are intrinsically intertwined. Even in their relationship to the areas of the brain that process the two emotions.

The fine line between love and hate is fragile.

In ancient Greek culture, comedy referred to a type of play that typically focused on humorous and light-hearted themes, often mocking the social and political issues of the time. However, these plays often contained serious and tragic elements, and the line between comedy and tragedy was often blurred.

https://uspeakgreek.com/art/theatre/ancient-greek-comedy-blurring-the-line-between-humour-and-tragedy/

[BumRushDaShow]

14. Well Philly has this every year on New Year's Day --

The Fancys do their show inside for New Years -

The Mummers' 124th year!

[Timeflyer]

2. Any peaceful protest to demonstrate opposition to Kim Jong Don is a good protest. MAGAts will paint us as

crazy heathen socialist communist satan worshipping space alien cannibals, or lame losers, whatever. Stay safe, don't engage, but don't fear showing up for peaceful collective action now.

[Attilatheblond]

3. Daughter got a nearly-life-size Trumpn cardboard 'stand up', put a big red nose and Burger King crown on it

and has 'him' holding a signs about no crowns for clowns. Such a clever woman, she is.

[AverageOldGuy]

10. Well . . .

I have mixed feelings about this.

As an old soldier I’m glad to see the Army observing our 250th anniversary. However, I’m angry and upset beyond belief at how Trump has hijacked what was to have been a much smaller and more appropriate observance.

[BigmanPigman]

13. I made 4 signs but the one with NO CLOWNS

written on it also has No Fascists, No Crazies, No Kings. A silkscreen of tRump's face is wearing a Hitler mustache and hair-don't and a big, red clown nose.

[bdamomma]

17. Yes

BigmanPigman, I believe that the theme should be as you say. The theme should in their face: No Fascism, No Dictatorship, No Kings, spell it out right in front of them. Clear Message from us.

And some mocking thrown in. As far as news coverage of these protests will be on Rachel's show on Monday night. Chris Hayes said something which was kind of true is if violence erupts it will be broadcasted, but the public were told only peaceful protests should be allowed. We got a lot riding on this which is we do not want violence erupting by agitators intermingling with us to lead to insurrection then martial law. That is what Miller and the felon are hoping for.

Be safe

[Magoo48]

16. If folks are demonstrating peacefully, please, save your criticism for the Nazi magats.

Or better yet, get out there in the street and show them the right way.