Satirical Trump-Epstein Titanic Statue Erected on National Mall
A striking golden statue portraying former President Donald Trump and the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein in a Titanic-themed pose has appeared on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. The nearly 12-foot sculpture, titled "King of the World," recreates the iconic scene from the 1997 blockbuster film Titanic, with Trump standing behind Epstein, arms outstretched, as they face the Washington Monument from a replica ship's bow.
Pointed Commentary and Political Reactions
The installation, spray-painted gold, includes plaques offering sharp 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." Nearby, ten banners display a photograph of Trump and Epstein together with the slogan "Make America Safe Again," each bearing a Department of Justice insignia where the word "Justice" is conspicuously redacted.
The White House swiftly condemned the display. Abigail Jackson, a deputy press secretary, criticized the work as reflecting political double standards, questioning why similar sculptures are not created for Democrats linked to Epstein. Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, insisting he has been "totally exonerated" by the release of Epstein-related records and claiming he knew nothing of Epstein's criminal behavior.
Background and Previous Installations
This statue is the third piece of guerrilla art satirizing Trump's relationship with Epstein attributed to The Secret Handshake, an anonymous collective. Previous installations include "Best Friends Forever" in September, showing the two men holding hands, and a giant replica of a crude birthday message allegedly sent to Epstein in January. It remains unclear if these statues are related to a "Jeffrey Epstein Walk of Shame" recently installed in Farragut Square.
The permit for the new installation lists a start date but has its end date blacked out, leaving it uncertain how long the statue will remain. Trump and Epstein were long acquainted in Florida social circles, with Trump stating they had a falling-out in the mid-2000s. Epstein died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges.
Renewed scrutiny has followed the publication of letters from a 2003 book celebrating Epstein's 50th birthday, including one with a naked woman outline alleged to be signed by Trump. These artistic interventions aim to keep the Epstein files, where Trump's name appears thousands of times, in the public spotlight amidst other global events.
