New York artist who made statue of Charlie Kirk claims no one will buy it

New York City sculptor Sergio Furnari is seeking to recoup his costs after investing thousands of his own dollars into creating a life-size statue of the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Furnari has been unable to find donors to commission the work and has reportedly sold his own apartment to fund the project.

“

Yes, your name will be eternally attached to Charlie Kirk

A fundraising page set up for the statue states that "none of the politicians/entrepreneurs/supporters have contacted him." The page also notes that donors will have their names engraved on the monument, with the promise that "your name will be eternally attached to Charlie Kirk."

Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was a prominent far-right political figure known for controversial statements on race, the LGBTQ+ community, and COVID-19. He was a key ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who posthumously awarded Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Trump also spoke at Kirk's funeral, calling him a "great American hero."

“

We’ve been receiving lots of threats and hate mail

Furnari told The Guardian that he does not share all of Kirk's views but created the sculpture to "glorify and to exercise the First Amendment, this freedom of speech," and to "commemorate a person."

“

wasn’t a fan of some of his views

Despite displaying the statue near the White House and in Times Square at his own expense, Furnari claims the reception has been negative, with the fundraising page reporting "lots of threats and hate mail." The page also states that a TikTok account dedicated to the monument was banned after its launch video went viral. The fundraising goal is $150,000, with over $7,500 raised as of publication.

“

glorify and to exercise the First Amendment, this freedom of speech