A satirical bronze statue depicting former President Donald Trump and the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein holding hands and appearing to frolic was installed on the National Mall this week, becoming the latest piece of protest art to criticize the president.
The provocative installation, titled “Best Friends Forever,” was erected under a permit from the National Park Service but was removed by the U.S. Park Police less than a day later, sparking accusations of government censorship.
The Installation and Its Swift Removal
The life-sized, bronze-painted statue depicted the two men smiling at each other, each with one arm and leg raised in a mid-frolic motion. A plaque on the installation read, “In Honor of Friendship Month, we celebrate the long-lasting bond between President Donald J. Trump and his ‘closest friend,’ Jeffrey Epstein”. The plaque was emblazoned with an image of two hands forming a heart shape.
| Event | Date | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Statue Installation | September 23, 2025 | Erected on the east end of the National Mall under a NPS permit valid until Sunday evening. |
| Statue Removal | September 24, 2025 | U.S. Park Police removed the statue before sunrise, citing non-compliance with the permit. |
| Group’s Response | September 25, 2025 | “The Secret Handshake” released 3D-printable files online after a second permit was revoked. |
A group calling itself “The Secret Handshake” claimed responsibility for the artwork. According to the group, after the statue was removed, they reapplied for and received a second permit to reinstall the repaired work, only to have it suddenly revoked without explanation. In response, the group has made 3D-printable files of the statue available online for free public download.
A spokesperson for the Department of the Interior stated the statue was removed because it “was not compliant with the permit issued,” though no specific details were provided on the nature of the violation.
Political Reactions and Background
The statue highlights a relationship that has been a persistent political vulnerability for Trump.
- White House Response: White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson dismissed the statue, 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”. In a separate statement to the New York Times, the White House criticized Democrats and the media for knowing about Epstein “for years and doing nothing to help them” while asserting that President Trump was delivering on transparency.
- Historical Context: Trump and Epstein were known to be friends for approximately 15 years, moving in similar social circles in Florida and New York. In a 2002 interview, Trump described Epstein as a “terrific guy” and “a lot of fun to be with”. Trump has since repeatedly downplayed the relationship, claiming he cut ties with Epstein years before the financier’s first criminal indictment in 2006 and banned him from his Mar-a-Lago club.
- Ongoing Political Pressure: The Trump administration continues to face pressure to release government documents related to the Epstein investigations, often referred to as the “Epstein files”. This issue has caused concern within Trump’s political base. The controversy was recently reignited by the release of a sexually suggestive letter and drawing, purportedly signed by Trump, from a birthday album compiled for Epstein in 2003. Trump has denied authoring the note and has filed defamation lawsuits against news outlets that reported on it.
A Series of Satirical Statues
The “Best Friends Forever” statue is not an isolated incident but part of a series of anonymous satirical artworks that have appeared in the heart of Washington, D.C. “The Secret Handshake” claims responsibility for almost all of them. Previous installations include:
- “The Resolute Desk” (October 2024): A bronze replica of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s desk, topped with a pile of feces, satirically honoring the January 6 Capitol rioters.
- “Dictator Approved” (June 2025): An eight-foot-tall golden thumbs-up shown crushing the Statue of Liberty’s crown, featuring quotes from authoritarian leaders like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un praising Trump.
New York Times