A colossal and controversial art installation targeting former President Donald Trump's alleged links to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein has appeared in the heart of Washington D.C.
A Provocative Display on the Mall
A ten-foot-tall mock-up of a birthday card, purportedly sent from Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003, was installed overnight on the National Mall, positioned with the Washington Monument in the background. The display, which appeared on Monday 19 January 2026, is the work of a left-leaning collective known as The Secret Handshake. This group was also responsible for a series of statues in late 2025 depicting Trump and Epstein laughing and holding hands.
The giant card is timed to coincide with Epstein's birthday on January 20, which this year also marks the one-year anniversary of Trump's second presidential inauguration. A spokesperson for The Secret Handshake told The Independent that with the release of the Epstein files remaining a pressing issue, they felt it appropriate to "celebrate the birthday of the man himself."
Content and Context of the Controversy
The art piece simplifies the alleged message from the original note, which was obtained and released by House investigators last year. Instead of the full text, it bears the inscription: "Happy birthday to a 'Terrific guy!'" inside the same sketch of a nude woman featured on the original. The display invites passersby to sign the card and leave messages, with a warning that violent or offensive content will be removed.
Trump has consistently denied writing the birthday letter and even sued the Wall Street Journal over its reporting on the alleged correspondence. He has long denied any knowledge of Epstein's criminal activities, though he admitted the two had a falling out after Epstein hired a young spa worker, Virginia Giuffre, away from Trump's Mar-a-Lago club. Giuffre was later identified as one of Epstein's victims.
Bipartisan Pressure for Transparency
The installation arrives amid ongoing, bipartisan pressure on Capitol Hill for the full release of documents related to the Epstein case. Legislation passed in autumn 2025 mandated the federal government to release its entire cache of Epstein files by December 19, but only a fraction have been made public.
Lawmakers from both parties, including original co-sponsors Republican Thomas Massie and Democrat Ro Khanna, have accused the government of delaying and failing to uphold the law. The two recently filed a request to intervene in the criminal case of Ghislaine Maxwell to push for the appointment of a special master to oversee the files' release. This bipartisan focus has reportedly caused great frustration for President Trump, who has urged Republicans to drop the issue.
Trump has argued that individuals like him who "innocently met" Epstein are being embarrassed by the photos and information emerging from the case. Despite his urgings, the House Oversight Committee continues its investigation. Trump has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing in the files released so far by the committee or Epstein's estate.
The Secret Handshake stated that the giant birthday card is permitted to remain on the National Mall through Friday, ensuring its presence during the dual anniversaries that have spurred its creation.
