Disney may have had $50 billion or so to pay for the purchase of 21st Century Fox, but the theme park and movie company has clearly kept to a tighter budget on their new President Donald Trump robot.
The animatronic figure has taken centre stage in the Hall of Presidents in Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park resort in Florida.
The robot figure can talk and make hand gestures.
Disney plans to make the Trumpette part of a 25-minute show.
In a video unveiling the robot, Trump speaks patriotically with the US national anthem playing in the background before giving an awkward thumbs up.
Face and hair not quite right
“From the beginning, America has been a nation defined by its people. At our founding, it was the American people who rose up to defend our freedoms and win our Independence,” says the robot.
“Above all, to be American is to be an optimist. To believe that we can always do better, and that the best days of our great nation are still ahead of us.”
The recording was made by Trump. Originally planned to open in June for the Independence Day vacation, the recording arrived late. Now, the show opens in time for the Christmas vacation.
Although the robot resembles Trump from a distance, his face and hair are not quite right close-up and the president looks a lot skinnier than he has probably been for years.
Despite this, Disney insists The White House was asked for Trump’s exact measurements, which begs the question were his real measurements provided?
Albino squirrel
The feedback to the animatronic has been savage online.
“It’s like the robot gained sentience and was immediately disgusted by its own appearance,” said Adam Molloy on Twitter.
Elizabeth M described the robot as “carved out of Play-doh and left out in the heat where it was discovered by a dying albino squirrel who settled atop his head and has been left there to decompose.”
The Hall of Presidents is a showcase for all America’s presidents. The show includes robotic figures of Abraham Lincoln, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.
President Trump has made no comment about his animatronic figure.