Trump-Epstein Statue Sparks Fury
Jeffery Epstein's Mugshot in 2006. Photo courtesy of the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Department. Public domain.
A shocking statue of Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein holding hands appeared near the White House, turning heads and stirring controversy. The bronze figures, frolicking, smiling, were installed on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., with a plaque celebrating "Friendship Month." But the spectacle was short-lived. By the next morning, the statue had been removed by authorities for violating permit rules, leaving behind questions about who placed it there and why.
A Statue That Shocked the Nation
The 12-foot-tall statue reportedly showed Trump and Epstein in a playful pose, holding hands and raising arms and legs as if mid-dance. The plaque beneath it read, "In Honor of Friendship Month, we celebrate the long-lasting bond between President Donald J. Trump and his 'closest friend,' Jeffrey Epstein," as reported by NPR. The installation was a bold, provocative statement, given Epstein's notorious history as a convicted sex offender and Trump's complicated past association with him.
The statue's sudden appearance on the National Mall, less than a mile from the White House, was audacious. It was part of a series of anti-Trump sculptures that have popped up in the nation's capital over the past year, each designed to provoke and challenge the former president's image. The group behind this latest installation, known as "The Secret Handshake," is known for its satirical and politically charged art installations. They claimed responsibility for the statue and said it was meant to mark Friendship Month, a widely recognized observance in September.
According to a member of "The Secret Handshake" who spoke anonymously, the group obtained a permit from the National Park Service allowing the statue to remain on the Mall until Sunday evening, as reported by NPR. However, the statue was removed overnight without prior notice. The group accused members of the Trump administration of orchestrating the removal as part of a crackdown on speech it disagrees with. They said the statue was physically toppled, broken, and taken away, and they do not know its current whereabouts.
Trump's Controversial Ties to Epstein
Donald Trump's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein has long been a subject of public fascination and scrutiny. The two men moved in similar social circles in Florida and New York City starting in the 1980s, attending parties and even flying together on Epstein's private jet. Trump once described Epstein as "a terrific guy" and praised their shared appreciation for beautiful women, as reported by NPR. However, Trump has repeatedly insisted that their friendship ended well before Epstein's 2006 indictment for soliciting prostitution.
In recent years, Trump has distanced himself from Epstein, especially after Epstein's 2019 arrest on sex trafficking charges and subsequent death in jail. Trump has claimed he banned Epstein from his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida after Epstein allegedly "stole" employees, including young women, from the club's spa, as reported by NPR. Despite this, Trump's administration has faced ongoing pressure to release files related to Epstein's case, with critics accusing the president of withholding information.
The statue's plaque included quotes from a crude birthday note Trump allegedly wrote to Epstein in 2003, which was part of documents released by the House Oversight Committee. Trump has denied involvement with the note and even sued the Wall Street Journal for defamation over its reporting on the matter, according to NPR.
The Statue's Removal and Official Response
The U.S. Department of the Interior confirmed the statue was removed because it did not comply with the permit issued, TMZ reports. However, officials did not specify the exact nature of the violation. Eyewitness videos reportedly showed U.S. Park Police hauling the statue onto a truck before sunrise, ending its brief but impactful presence on the National Mall.
The White House declined to comment directly on the removal but had previously criticized the statue. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson dismissed the installation as a waste of money by liberals and told NPR that Trump had kicked Epstein out of his club for being a "creep." Jackson's remarks underscored the administration's effort to downplay the significance of Trump's past ties to Epstein.
A Growing Trend of Political Art on the Mall
This statue is the latest in a series of politically charged art installations that have appeared on the National Mall in recent months. "The Secret Handshake" group has been behind many of these, using public spaces to make bold statements about Trump and his presidency. Their works have ranged from humorous to scathing, often sparking heated debate about free speech, political expression, and the limits of public art.
Earlier installations included a bronze replica of Nancy Pelosi's desk adorned with a poop emoji, a golden thumbs-up crushing the Statue of Liberty's crown with the words "Dictator Approved," and a gilded television playing clips of Trump dancing. Each piece has been designed to provoke, entertain, and challenge the public's perception of political figures.
What Comes Next?
The abrupt removal of the Trump-Epstein statue has left many wondering about the fate of the artwork and the future of such provocative installations. "The Secret Handshake" insists it was given no warning and that the statue was destroyed in the process. The incident raises questions about government tolerance for dissenting voices and the boundaries of political satire in public spaces.
References: Statue of Trump and Epstein Holding Hands Removed From D.C. National Mall | Trump-Epstein friendship statue is removed from National Mall | Statue of Trump, Epstein holding hands appears on National Mall
