Satirical Statue of Trump and Epstein Appears on National Mall

The installation is the latest in a series of provocative public artworks created by an anonymous group of artists.

Published on Mar. 12, 2026

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A gold-colored statue depicting President Trump and the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in a pose inspired by the movie 'Titanic' has appeared on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The statue, titled 'The King of the World,' is the latest in a series of satirical installations created by an anonymous artist collective called The Secret Handshake. The group says the statue is meant to draw attention to the Trump administration's handling of the Epstein case.

Why it matters

The statue is the latest in a string of provocative public artworks that have appeared in the nation's capital, often targeting the Trump administration. These installations have sparked debate around free speech, political satire, and the role of art in addressing controversial issues.

The details

The statue depicts Trump gazing at Epstein as he holds his arms outstretched, mimicking the famous 'Titanic' pose. A plaque at the base reads: 'The tragic love story between Jack and Rose was built on luxurious travel, raucous parties, and secret nude sketches. This monument honors the bond between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, a friendship seemingly built on luxurious travel, raucous parties and secret nude sketches.' The statue is permitted to be on the National Mall through Friday night.

  • The statue appeared on the National Mall on Tuesday, March 12, 2026.
  • The statue is permitted to be on the National Mall through Friday night.

The players

The Secret Handshake

An anonymous group of artists who have created a series of satirical statues that have appeared in Washington, D.C. since October 2024.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, who had a well-documented friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Jeffrey Epstein

The late sex offender who was a close friend of Donald Trump's until the early 2000s.

Abigail Jackson

A White House spokeswoman who criticized the artists behind the statue.

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What they’re saying

“Wealthy Democrat donors who should create statues of Democratic lawmakers who solicited money and meetings from Mr. Epstein after he was convicted of sex crimes.”

— Abigail Jackson, White House spokeswoman (The New York Times)

What’s next

The statue is permitted to be on the National Mall through Friday night.

The takeaway

This statue is the latest in a series of provocative public artworks that have appeared in Washington, D.C. in recent years, often targeting the Trump administration and sparking debate around free speech, political satire, and the role of art in addressing controversial issues.