If the runners at Sunday’s Eugene Marathon in Oregon didn’t use up all their energy covering the 42.2K course, they probably spent their last few ounces giving a familiar face a good punch. On the sidelines, a spectator, Fernando Sosa, held up an inflatable punching bag featuring President Donald Trump‘s face–complete with a large sign that read “Punch Trump.”
In a video posted to TikTok, countless runners can be seen crossing the course to get within striking distance of the bag, giving it a good whack.
@mlehww Came to support my brother at the Eugene Marathon. But this was good too. #fdt #eugene #oregon #eugenemarathon. He deserve an award. @politicalnuisance ♬ ROCKSTAR – DaBaby, Roddy Ricch
“So many runners punched my inflatable punching bag that it popped,” Sosa told Canadian Running. “It lasted a few thousand punches–my arm and chest were pretty sore.” He uses the handles “politicalnuisance” on TikTok and “politicalsculptor” on Instagram, and has been doing political artwork for nearly a decade.
The 42-year-old designed the punching bag eight years ago, during Trump’s first term in office. “I really wanted to punch Trump in the face,” he said. “But since that’s illegal, this is the closest I could do.” Around that time, his wife began running, and as they travelled from Florida for various marathons, Sosa brought the punching bag along. Sunday’s race marked his wife’s 13th marathon.
Many social media users applauded the creative protest. “Thank you for your service,” many comments read.
“This would give me a burst of strength, honestly,” one user wrote.
“I’m not a runner–but I would sign up for a marathon for a chance at that,” another chimed in.
