Controversial Trump-Epstein Statue Sparks Debate Near U.S. Capitol

A provocative 12-foot statue depicting U.S. President Donald Trump holding hands with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein appeared on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., near the Capitol, installed by an anonymous group called The Secret Handshake Project. The statue, titled "Best Friends Forever," shows the two men smiling together and is accompanied by plaques commemorating their "long-lasting bond," including excerpts from a disputed letter allegedly written by Trump for Epstein's 50th birthday. The installation has sparked significant public attention, debate, and mixed reactions online, with some praising it as a form of political and artistic expression, while others questioned how it was permitted in such a high-security area. The White House acknowledged Trump's past association with Epstein but emphasized that Trump distanced himself after learning about Epstein's misconduct, dismissing the statue as a political mystification. This installation is the second Trump-related statue to appear on the National Mall recently, with a previous 'golden' Trump statue holding Bitcoin unveiled as part of a separate temporary exhibition. The presence of the Epstein-Trump statue highlights ongoing public and political scrutiny of the President's historical ties to Epstein amid unresolved questions and controversies.