In the early hours of 23 September 2025, a 12-foot faux-bronze statue of President Donald Trump and the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein appeared on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The statue, which shows the pair mid-stride and holding hands, has attracted national media attention. Alongside the installation, three plaques were mounted referencing 'Friendship Month' and describing Epstein as Trump's 'closest friend'.
The piece was created by an anonymous group called The Secret Handshake. The group claimed responsibility in a statement provided to HuffPost, where a spokesperson said the artwork was meant to speak for itself. The installation appeared without any public permit or official approval.
