A provocative statue depicting former President Donald Trump and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein holding hands made a fleeting appearance on Washington D.C.’s National Mall this week, only to be removed less than 24 hours later. The bronze-painted installation, titled *Best Friends Forever*, featured the two men smiling at each other, each seemingly caught in a moment of joy, with arms and legs raised in a playful manner.
“In Honor of Friendship Month, we celebrate the long-lasting bond between President Donald J. Trump and his ‘closest friend,’ Jeffrey Epstein,” read the accompanying plaque, which was adorned with a heart shape formed by two hands. September is recognized as Friendship Month, making the timing of this installation particularly provocative.
The statue’s installation was claimed by a group known as The Secret Handshake, which sought to highlight the controversial history between Trump and Epstein, who ran in similar social circles throughout the 1980s and 1990s in Florida and New York City. Despite Trump’s attempts to distance himself from Epstein, the connection remains a sensitive topic, especially given the ongoing scrutiny surrounding Epstein’s crimes and the push for the release of related investigation documents.
Eyewitness accounts reported that U.S. Park Police removed the statue under the cover of darkness on Wednesday morning, despite a permit that allowed it to remain until Sunday evening. A spokesperson for the Department of the Interior explained that the statue was removed for “non-compliance with the permit issued,” although specifics were not provided.
The Secret Handshake criticized the removal as an infringement on free expression, arguing that the Trump administration was attempting to silence dissenting voices. This incident follows a broader trend of increased scrutiny over artistic expression that critiques the former president, especially after recent actions against media figures like Jimmy Kimmel.
The White House responded to the controversy, with spokesperson Abigail Jackson stating, “Liberals are free to waste their money however they see fit – but it’s not news that Epstein knew Donald Trump, because Donald Trump kicked Epstein out of his club for being a creep.”
A member of The Secret Handshake, who chose to remain anonymous due to fears of retaliation, claimed that they were assured they would receive a written notice if there were compliance issues, allowing them time to address any concerns. Instead, they alleged that the statue was removed without prior warning and reported it broken into pieces upon retrieval.
The relationship between Trump and Epstein has been a contentious topic, especially since Epstein’s arrest on sex trafficking charges in 2019. Trump has frequently downplayed their friendship, asserting that it ended earlier that decade. However, public records and flight logs have linked Trump to Epstein, raising questions about the extent of their ties.
The group’s artistic protest is part of a larger movement that has seen several anti-Trump statues appear in D.C. over the past year. Other installations include satirical pieces that comment on Trump’s actions and rhetoric, such as a statue resembling former Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s desk, complete with symbolic references to the January 6 Capitol riot.
The brief existence of the Trump-Epstein statue serves as a reminder of the ongoing dialogue surrounding power, privilege, and accountability in American politics. As the nation continues to grapple with these issues, the intersection of art and political commentary remains as relevant as ever.
