Satirical Trump-Epstein statue appears on National Mall, reigniting controversy

A provocative new piece of political art appeared on the National Mall early Tuesday, drawing immediate attention and a sharp response from the White House. 

Titled “Best Friends Forever,” the installation is a 12-foot-tall, spray-painted bronze statue that depicts President Donald Trump holding hands with the late financier and sex offender Jeffery Epstein. 

The sculpture was placed by an anonymous group who call themselves “The Secret Handshake Project Group” at the east end of the National Mall, near the US Capitol. 

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A plaque on the base of the statue reads, "We celebrate the long-lasting bond between President Donald J. Trump and his 'closest friend,' Jeffrey Epstein".  

According to a permit from the National Park Service (NPS), the statue is legally allowed to remain on display until Sunday evening at 8 p.m.

The permit application stated the purpose of the artwork was to “demonstrate freedom of speech and artistic expression using political imagery.” 

The installation's appearance comes amid a renewed public focus on the relationship between Trump and Epstein, fueled by the release of documents from the "Epstein Files" and a disputed birthday letter.

At the base of the statue sits two additional plaques with excerpts from the alleged letter, which Trump has denied writing. 

The president has filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal for its report on the letter, calling it "false, malicious, and defamatory".   

White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson condemned the new display and said “Liberals are free to waste their money however they see fit," adding, "it's not news that Epstein knew Donald Trump, because Donald Trump kicked Epstein out of his club for being a creep". 

The spokesperson also claimed that Trump has been "calling for transparency" on the Epstein files and is "now delivering on it" with the release of thousands of documents.   

As news of the sculpture spread Tuesday, visitors gathered to read the plaques, snap photos, and said it reinforced their belief in the right to criticize government and leaders.

The artists behind the statue have remained anonymous, a choice an artist affiliated with the group said was because they wanted the "artwork to speak for itself".