Brooklyn Today: The story behind Swamp Trump

November 1, 2019 Brooklyn Today

Take a seat. At Greenpoint Landing.

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THE LEDE: Happy Friday! A statue of President Donald Trump floating in the Gowanus Canal has created quite the stir. We recently spoke with Phil Gable, the Park Slope artist behind the viral project, who snuck the effigy into the waterway two weeks ago. In the days that followed, he stood nearby, silently listening to people react to his work.

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THE RUNDOWN

~ RACIST HALLOWEEN DECOR DEFILED AN OLD CLINTON HILL HOME. MY FAMILY USED TO LIVE THERE.: “It was to my surprise and horror that I immediately recognized my childhood home in the photo. … Instantly, I experienced a range of emotions, including heartbreak, anger, frustration and disappointment,” writes our guest columnist.

~ THE STORY BEHIND SWAMP TRUMP, THE GOWANUS CANAL’S NEWEST RESIDENT: “It’s the most realistic representation of him, because he is this nasty little troll who thrives on filth,” the artist said of Donald Trump. “It was cathartic to make a representation of him actually being a creature of the swamp. He thrives on toxicity.”

~ TENANTS AT BUSHWICK HOUSES BRAINSTORM HOW TO SPEND $30K ON SAFETY: Tenants of the Bushwick Houses are getting $30,000 in grant money from the Mayor’s Office to come up with new safety and security enhancements.

~ COSTUMES AND COMICS: 10 THINGS TO DO IN BROOKLYN THIS WEEKEND: Even post-Halloween, we’ve got lots of spooky events this weekend, including a Día de los Muertos celebration at Green-Wood Cemetery, a costume party in Williamsburg and a Nets game at Barclays Center — because let’s be honest, it’s scary how good the team will be this year.

~ BROOKLYN HEIGHTS STRAPHANGERS VOTE FOR LONGER CLARK STREET STATION FIX: The results of the survey about the best way to replace the three decrepit elevators at the Clark Street subway station in Brooklyn Heights are in — but the results raise some questions.

~ BIG DAY FOR BIRDS AS CITY COUNCIL OUTLAWS FOIE GRAS AND ENDS PIGEON TRAFFICKING: The City Council passed two bills Wednesday to make life a little better for the city’s birds. One outlawed the sale of foie gras and another imposes stiff penalties on trappers caught illegally netting wild birds to be used in out-of-state pigeon shoots.

~ COMIC ARTS FESTIVAL COMING TO THE PRATT INSTITUTE: Comic Arts Brooklyn, in its third year, is scheduled for this Saturday at the Pratt Institute. The festival will give Brooklynites a chance to delve into over 250 exhibits featuring books, prints, art and (of course) comics.

~ THE BEST HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS IN BROOKLYN THIS YEAR: Halloween may be over, but it’s not too late to appreciate the holiday’s decorations. We recently set out across the borough in search of the best decorated stoops, houses and yards. Here’s what we found.

~ BARCLAYS BANDIT STEALS IPADS AND WHISKEY AFTER BREAK-IN: A man broke into Barclays Center through a side door and helped himself to a handful of Apple iPads and an unopened bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue scotch whiskey on Sunday, police said.

MORE BROOKLYN NEWS

~ Admiral’s Row was torn down to make room for Wegmans, and many are lamenting the loss. (Curbed)

~ “Should the city’s housing plan make NYCHA its centerpiece?” (City Limits)

~ Here’s why a Park Slope lot has been vacant for decades. (The Real Deal)

STAFF PICKS

~ READ: “Ten years ago, I called out David Letterman. This month, we sat down to talk.” (Vanity Fair)

~ DRINK: Here are New York City’s five best spots to get hot toddies, including one in Williamsburg. (Thrillist)

~ CARTOON: Witches make a stew in their cauldron. (The New Yorker)

~ LIVE: Here are five tips on how to eat alone — and not feel bad about it. (NYT)

WHAT’S HAPPENING

3:30PM – 6:00PM — Día de los Muertos Family Celebration at Green-Wood Cemetery. Details.

7:00PM — Harry Connick Jr. at The TimesCenter. Details.

7:00PM – 12:00AM — VICE Night Market at Villain. Details.

THE WRAP

⌛ ON THIS DAY
In 1918, the Brooklyn Eagle reported, “Elevated railroad service was crippled today throughout Brooklyn, the Fourth Ave. subway service was hampered, and nearly all trolley lines were suffering from congestion in a marked degree, following the strike order of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.”

📔 IMPRINT
An octopus takes a decadent bubble bath on the latest cover of Spain’s Condé Nast Traveler.

👑 ROYAL WATCH
Actress Olivia Colman receives a “rare honor” from the royal family. (Town & Country)

🏒 SPORTS
Isles streaking their way back to Brooklyn

BIRTHDAYS

Happy birthday to Gary Player, Jim Steinman, Mitch Kapor, Fernando Valenzuela, Anthony Kiedis, Rick Allen, Sophie B. Hawkins, Tie Domi, Toni Collette and Jenny McCarthy!