Golden 'Titanic' Statue of Trump and Epstein Erected on National Mall
A striking golden statue depicting former President Donald Trump and the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein in a Titanic-themed pose appeared on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. The nearly 12-foot sculpture, titled "King of the World," recreates the famous scene from the 1997 blockbuster film where the lovers Jack and Rose stand at the prow of the ill-fated ocean liner.
Satirical Artwork Sparks Political Controversy
The statue shows Trump standing behind Epstein with arms outstretched, facing the Washington Monument, mounted on a replica of the ship's bow. Spray-painted gold, the installation is accompanied by plaques offering pointed commentary on the pair's past association. One plaque reads: "This monument honors the bond between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, a friendship seemingly built on luxurious travel, raucous parties and secret nude sketches."
This is the third piece of guerrilla art satirizing Trump's relationship with Epstein attributed to The Secret Handshake, a shadowy collective whose members remain anonymous. Previous installations include "Best Friends Forever" in September and a giant replica of a birthday message allegedly sent to Epstein in January.
White House Condemns Display as Political Stunt
The White House swiftly condemned the display, with deputy press secretary Abigail Jackson suggesting it reflects political double standards. "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?" she told The Washington Post.
Trump has repeatedly insisted he has been "totally exonerated" by the release of millions of pages of records related to the Epstein investigation. He and Epstein were long acquainted in social circles in Florida before having a falling-out in the mid-2000s, with Trump insisting he knew nothing of Epstein's criminal behavior.
Mystery Surrounds Installation's Duration
The Washington Post reported that the permit for the new installation lists a start date but has its end date blacked out, leaving it unclear how long the statue might remain on the Mall. It's unknown whether this redaction is part of the artists' stunt or an administrative detail.
Epstein died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. The statue's appearance comes amid renewed scrutiny following the publication of letters written for a 2003 book celebrating Epstein's 50th birthday, including one depicting the outline of a naked woman alleged to have been signed by Trump.
Together with other recent interventions like the "Jeffrey Epstein Walk of Shame" in Farragut Square, these artistic statements appear determined to keep the Epstein files - where Trump's name appears thousands of times - in the public spotlight despite other national distractions.
