A new satirical statue depicting Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein as the doomed lovers from the film Titanic has appeared on the National Mall in Washington, DC, prompting an investigation. The nearly 12-foot golden sculpture, titled 'King of the World', shows Trump with his arms outstretched behind Epstein, recreating the iconic scene from the 1997 blockbuster.
The installation is the latest work by The Secret Handshake, an anonymous collective known for guerrilla art targeting Trump’s ties to Epstein. Accompanying plaques reference their past association, with one stating: 'This monument honours the bond between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, a friendship seemingly built on luxurious travel, raucous parties and secret nude sketches.' Nearby banners display a photo of the pair with the slogan 'Make America Safe Again' and a redacted Department of Justice insignia.
The White House swiftly condemned the display, with deputy press secretary Abigail Jackson suggesting it reflected 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?' she told the Washington Post. Trump has denied knowledge of Epstein’s crimes, saying they had a falling-out in the mid-2000s.
Epstein died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. The statue’s permit lists a start date but has its end date blacked out, leaving uncertainty over how long it will remain. The Secret Handshake previously erected a statue of the pair holding hands in September and a replica of a birthday note allegedly signed by Trump in January.
