An anonymous group of artists have installed a statue of US President Donald Trump and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on the National Mall in Washington DC on Tuesday, depicting the pair in a pose referencing a scene from the film Titanic.

 

The installation, nearly 12 feet tall, shows Trump embracing Epstein. Plaques placed at the base of the statue read: “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.”

 

Ten banners were also placed nearby displaying a photograph of Trump and Epstein together alongside the words “Make America Safe Again”. The banners carry the insignia of the United States Department of Justice with the word “Justice” redacted.

 

Trump had a long-standing association with Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while facing sex trafficking charges. Trump has said he knew Epstein socially in Florida and that the two stopped interacting in the mid-2000s. He has also maintained that he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal conduct.

 

The statue has been placed on Third Street NW between Jefferson and Madison drives and is the third installation by the artists depicting Trump and Epstein. In January, the group installed a replica of a birthday note and drawing bearing Trump’s name that appeared in a 2003 collection of messages for Epstein. Trump has denied writing the note and told reporters the signature was not his.

 

In September, the same artists placed a bronze statue titled “Best Friends Forever” that showed Trump and Epstein holding hands.

 

The artists identify themselves as “The Secret Handshake”, though their identities remain unknown. 

 

According to the newspaper, the group uses an intermediary to obtain permits from the National Park Service for installations on the Mall. A copy of the permit reviewed by the publication shows the end date for the installation redacted.

 

It remains unclear whether the redaction was made by the Park Service or was included as part of the installation.

 

A spokesperson for the White House said that the statue reflects political hypocrisy.

 

“When will these wealthy Democrat donors create sculptures of Democrats ... who continued to solicit money and meetings from Epstein after he was convicted as a sex offender?” spokesperson Abigail Jackson asked in a statement.

 

The National Mall has previously hosted protest art and installations aimed at highlighting political and social issues. Near the statue, a colorectal cancer awareness display featuring blue flags has also been installed on the Mall.