Moonpig stirs up controversy with Trump baby blimp balloon image

Online card and gift company Moonpig provoked anger on Twitter this week with a suggestion it would sell balloons modelled on the Trump baby blimp.

The card retailer posted an image of a man with a helium balloon similar to the blimp saying, ‘If we make 100 of these TrumpUKvisit balloons, will you buy them?’

But many on social media took a dim view of the joke, suggesting that the idea was offensive, and threatening never to use Moonpig again.

Moonpig replied to one commenter, ‘We’re all about inclusiveness, love and care at Moonpig, and everything Mr T seems to do is the opposite of that. Hopefully we won’t hurt his feelings too much with an imaginary balloon. ‘

A Moonpig spokesman said, ‘As a brand that believes in love, care and inclusiveness we were just floating the idea and aren’t actually making the balloons. The tweet is getting almost as much attention as one of Mr Trump’s own and it’s heartening to see that so many people share in our values.’

In response to a message from the balloon’s designer, Moonpig said, ‘We won’t really be selling these don’t worry! We are just enormous fans. This was a photoshop job inspired by your wonderful work.’

Demonstrator Sheila Menon, who is part of a group who crowdfunded the balloon, said earlier this week, ‘We know that behind the humour of this the Trump baby represents a whole multitude of campaigns and issues.

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‘This isn’t just about mocking him.

‘This is actually about drawing attention to his fascist policies, policies that he’s putting into place like nobody’s business since he’s been in power.

‘Policies that are having very real impacts on real lives not just in the US but all over the world.’

‘So there’s a very serious message behind this but what we’re hoping is that on Friday this can be a symbol that people, no matter what they’re campaigning on, can get behind, and can feel that this is representing them and all their campaign issues.’

The blimp’s appearance in central London was approved by the Greater London Authority, and Mayor Sadiq Khan has defended the decision, saying it is not for him to be a censor or to decide what is in good or bad taste.