For 21 years, Matthew Warshauer has captured the scariest moments in politics through his political Halloween decorations; he said this is the perfect year to end the tradition.
“I’m always trying to sort of put my finger on the pulse of what is going on in the country,” Warshauer, a Central Connecticut State University history professor, said.
Warshauer said he thinks the nation will “either turn a corner or crash” depending on who is elected, making this year the ideal grand finale for political Halloween. He calls the 2024 election a “one-issue election.”
“Donald Trump attempted to overthrow the government of the United States. That’s what January 6th was about,” Warshauer said. “It wasn’t a civil riot it was an attempted coup.”
Warshauer said he combines his artistic interests with his work as a professor to create intricate political Halloween displays on his front lawn.
“I’m a big believer in embracing absurdity,” Warshauer, said.
On the lawn of his North Main Street home, there is a 16-foot sculpture of Kamala Harris as the Statue of Liberty. Surrounding the larger-than-life statue there are several satirical representations of quotes from former President Donald Trump.
“I needed it to be big,” Warshauer said. “I needed it to be that mammoth and overwhelming so that you can see it from far away then when you drive up on it, you’re like ‘wow.’”
There is a blank panel addressed to Trump supporters asking why they support his re-election despite those who worked closest with him condemning him.
“In my view anybody who supports Donald Trump in this election… they cannot call themselves believers in American democracy,” Warshauer said.
The blank panel allows anyone to voice their opinions on the display and Warshauer said he does not interfere with what is written.
“Political satire is as old as the nation and that is what I’m doing,” Warshauer said this is what he aims for those skeptical of his work to remember.