A new sculpture outside the Capitol in Washington is expected to… draw the attention of visitors and residents. The bronze statue depicts two men playing, smiling and holding hands, however this artistic intervention will hardly be appreciated positively by the American president. And this is because the work presents the “long-standing friendship” of Donald Trump with Jeffrey Epstein, rendering them in a playful stance, with one foot in the air, as they kick happily backwards.
Read: Trump files $15 million lawsuit against New York Times over articles linking him to Epstein
“We celebrate the long-standing bond between President Donald Trump and his ‘closest friend,’ Jeffrey Epstein,” reads a plaque at the bottom of the bronze installation that has been spray-painted. A permit from the National Park Service will allow the statue to remain on the National Mall, the large linear park between the US Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial, until 8 p.m. Sunday.
A bronze statue depicting Donald Trump & Jeffrey Epstein holding hands has appeared near the White House in honor of ‘Friendship Month.’
(📸: Joe Heim https://t.co/zRrJsnkBHI) pic.twitter.com/FXPcQxnqoO
— Pop Base (@PopBase) September 23, 2025
The creator of the statue remains unknown, but it has artistic and thematic similarities to recent works of art that criticize the president. Previous sculptures on the National Mall that pay indirect tribute to Trump include a bronze pile of excrement placed on a congressional desk to “honor” the January 6th protesters, and a statue titled “Dictator Approved”, depicting a golden thumb crushing the crown of the Statue of Liberty, with laudatory comments about Trump from Vladimir Putin, Jair Bolsonaro, Kim Jong-un and Viktor Orbán inscribed at its base.
Trump-Epstein friendship in the spotlight
The artistic intervention that appeared on the National Mall brings to the forefront an issue that remains a “thorn” for the American president, causing cracks even in his usually solid electoral base. Despite his own efforts to downplay or silence his old friendship with Epstein, the case continues to return again and again to public discussion.
An alleged letter from Trump to Epstein in the book for the latter’s 50th birthday included a sketch of a naked woman’s torso, in which it was mentioned that the two had “certain common elements” and that “riddles never age.” Trump is not the only notable character in Epstein’s birthday book and flight logs, as there are other big names, such as former president Bill Clinton and lawyer Alan Dershowitz. Excerpts from the alleged birthday letter are printed verbatim on the statue’s plaques – one under Trump’s feet, one under Epstein’s feet and a third that honors “Friendship Month,” with two outstretched hands forming a heart.
Harsh White House response
However, the American president responded vehemently to the press about the statue. “Liberals are free to waste their money as they see fit – but it’s not news that Epstein knew Donald Trump, because Donald Trump kicked Epstein out of his club because he was weird,” stated a White House declaration.
With information from Guardian
