Disney unveils Donald Trump robot at Florida park
The model of the US President delivers an inspirational speech to bring one of the park's most historic attractions to a close.
Tuesday 19 December 2017 17:39, UK
Walt Disney World has unveiled a frightfully lifelike Donald Trump robot at the reopening of one of the Florida resort's most historic attractions.
Almost a year after his inauguration, the US leader has joined state-of-the-art animatronic versions of his 44 predecessors at the Magic Kingdom's Hall of Presidents.
The model of Mr Trump - sporting a navy suit with a fittingly long tie draped below his belt - takes centre stage at the conclusion of a 25-minute show, which teaches tourists about the history of American democracy, from the origins of the White House to the modern day.
It has been a tradition since Bill Clinton's presidency for the sitting president to record an inspirational speech to bring the show to a close, and - despite more than 15,000 people signing a petition calling for his exclusion from the family attraction - Mr Trump was given the opportunity to do just that.
With no barbs directed towards Hillary Clinton, no goading of Kim Jong Un and no references to Twitter or 'fake news', it might just be his most presidential speech to date.
"From the beginning, America has been a nation defined by its people," says the robotic Mr Trump, authentically gesturing his hands as he addresses the audience.
"At our founding, it was the American people who rose up to defend our freedoms and win our independence. It is why our founders began our great Constitution with three very simple words: We The People.
"Since that moment, each generation of Americans has taken its place in the defence of our freedom, our flag, and our nation under God.
"These are the achievements of the American spirit, the spirit of a people who fought and died to bring the blessings of liberty to all our people.
"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.
"It's a privilege to serve as the President of the United States, to stand here among so many great leaders of our past, and to work on behalf of the American people."
The Hall of Presidents - which first opened in 1971 - was shut for nearly a year while Disney implemented Mr Trump, with the attraction officially re-opening on Tuesday.
Disney also took the opportunity to upgrade the theatre with new sound and lighting systems, and relocated the animatronic of Barack Obama to stand adjacent to Mr Clinton and George W Bush.