Share and Follow
In the heart of Washington, a new statue featuring Donald Trump and the late Jeffrey Epstein has made its appearance.
This creation is the work of “The Secret Handshake,” an anonymous group of artists who have gained notoriety for their provocative pieces. The statue stands an impressive four meters tall and depicts Trump and Epstein in the famed “king of the world” pose from the movie Titanic.
Boldly spray-painted in a gaudy gold, the installation shows Trump behind Epstein, both gazing toward the Washington Monument from a makeshift ship’s bow. This is just the latest in a series of daring artistic statements aimed at urging Americans to reflect on the historical connections between these two figures.
The base of the statue bears a sharp inscription, drawing a parallel between the film’s iconic romance and the Trump-Epstein relationship: “This monument honours the bond between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, a friendship seemingly built on luxurious travel, raucous parties, and secret nude sketches.”
While the White House has previously dismissed these works as partisan antics, with spokeswoman Abigail Jackson suggesting that “wealthy Democrat donors” might consider creating similar pieces about their own leaders, the installation has sparked mixed reactions on the streets of DC, highlighting the nation’s ongoing political divide.
The Washington Post reported the installation had become an overnight pilgrimage site for tourists and locals alike, eliciting a mixture of “praise and scorn”.
For many passersby, the statue is a necessary reminder of unanswered questions. Local resident Donna Powell told the Post she appreciated the bluntness of the message.
“With Trump declaring war on Iran, we know he’s trying to distract from the Epstein files,” Powell said. “This brings the files back to the forefront. A lot can be said with art.”
While some said they saw the very existence of the — placed just metres from the US Capitol — as proof that the First Amendment remains alive and well, others were not so sure.
One visitor from Pennsylvania, identified only as Josh, told the newspaper that he steered his young children away from the crowd. “I don’t love seeing it here,” he said. “It’s a little distasteful and it’s not really helping the conversation.”
In September, the same group of artists erected a sculpture of the Republican president and Epstein gleefully holding hands in front of the Capitol. It was promptly removed.
The same collective also created a poop statue criticising January 6 rioters and a large replica of Trump’s alleged birthday letter to Epstein.
The National Park Service permit for the installation reportedly had its end date redacted, leaving it unclear how long the golden duo will remain.
NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.