A bronze-painted statue titled Best Friends Forever, depicting President Donald Trump holding hands with Jeffrey Epstein, was installed on the National Mall this week before being removed within 24 hours.
The provocative installation showcased the two men smiling, with playful gestures that simulated a frolic.
Accompanying the artwork was a plaque noting, “In Honor of Friendship Month, we celebrate the long-lasting bond between President Donald J. Trump and his ‘closest friend,’ Jeffrey Epstein.” This installation coincided with September’s recognition as Friendship Month.
Despite Trump’s attempts to downplay their relationship, the connection between him and the convicted sex offender Epstein remains politically sensitive. Epstein mysteriously died in jail in August 2019, yet the demand for transparency regarding his records has lingered throughout Trump’s administration.
The group known as The Secret Handshake took credit for the artwork, which surfaced around 10 a.m. on Tuesday.
Although The Secret Handshake had obtained a National Park Service permit allowing the statue to remain until Sunday, video footage captured U.S. Park Police removing it shortly after sunrise on Wednesday.
A spokesperson for the Department of the Interior stated that the statue was removed for not complying with the permit, though the specifics were not disclosed.
In response, The Secret Handshake accused the Trump administration of suppressing freedom of expression, particularly following Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show’s suspension amid pressure from the Federal Communications Commission.
The White House remained silent on the matter, but previous comments from a spokesperson emphasized their disapproval of the artwork.
“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,” White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson stated.
An anonymous member of The Secret Handshake later shared that they had learned automation from park officials indicating that the administration was seeking ways to question their compliance with the permit.
They were assured that if any removals were necessary, the group would receive 24 hours’ written notice to take down the statue.
However, the member claimed that park authorities arrived in the middle of the night without notice, physically dismantling the statue and removing it without explanation.
They expressed concern over the whereabouts of the statue following its removal and later confirmed that the pieces of figures had been broken apart and taken away.
The relationship between Trump and Epstein has come under scrutiny since the 1980s when they were known to socialize at parties and travel together.
In a 2002 interview, Trump referred to Epstein as “a terrific guy” and acknowledged their shared interests in beautiful women.
However, Trump insists that their relationship ended before Epstein’s 2006 indictment for soliciting prostitution.
After Epstein’s 2019 arrest on sex trafficking charges, Trump labeled himself “not a fan” and claimed they had not spoken for about 15 years.
Additionally, Trump has stated that he banned Epstein from his Mar-a-Lago club, accusing him of inappropriately approaching young women at the spa.
Epstein’s life, death, and the controversies surrounding his social connections are enduring subjects of public debate.
Prominent figures, including Trump, have appeared in flight logs and other documents previously associated with Epstein, yet no evidence links them to Epstein’s illicit activities.
Despite a promise to release Epstein’s files during his campaign, Trump has faced criticism for refusing to do so.
Recently, the House Oversight Committee issued subpoenas for thousands of pages related to current investigations involving Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
In the wake of this scrutiny, the committee released several documents, including a book of well-wishes for Epstein’s 50th birthday featuring a crude image that Trump allegedly included.
Trump dismissed the authenticity of the note and swiftly escalated the situation by suing the Wall Street Journal for defamation.
The plaques beneath the statue that briefly occupied the Mall referenced quotes from this note, including a line stating, “Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret.”
The installation of the Trump and Epstein statue is not an isolated incident; it is part of a series of satirical sculptures targeting the former president.
The Secret Handshake reported involvement in organizing many anti-Trump pieces in D.C., previously facing no issues securing necessary permits.
The first of these creations appeared in October 2022 and featured a bronze replica of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s desk, complete with Post-it Notes and a representation of defecation.
This piece, titled The Resolute Desk, coincided with the fallout from the January 6 Capitol riots, dedicating a plaque to those who vandalized the Capitol.
Subsequent installations included a statue of a fist holding a tiki torch, referencing the violent rallies in 2017, and others that critiqued Trump’s authoritative tendencies.
Among these was a monumental golden thumbs up, showcased with the phrase “DICTATOR APPROVED,” which brutally symbolized Trump’s perceived connections to global authoritarian leaders.
This installation was later replaced with a gilded eagle on a television set, which played a loop of Trump dancing, accompanied by quotes that underscored the White House’s reactions to previous artworks.
Most recently, a fleeting golden statue of Trump holding a large bitcoin made an appearance on the Mall, though not attributed to The Secret Handshake.
The brief existence of the Trump and Epstein statue undoubtedly sparked conversations around political discourse, artistic expression, and the complexities of relationships in positions of power.
image source from：npr
