A controversial statue depicting former President Donald Trump and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein holding hands was removed from the National Mall overnight, despite having a permit that should have allowed it to remain in place until Sunday. The provocative art installation appeared near the U.S. Capitol building, sparking immediate attention and debate among visitors and officials.
The statue, which portrayed the two controversial figures in an intimate pose, was positioned in a prominent location on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The artwork captured Trump and Epstein clasping hands, a representation that clearly aimed to highlight their documented friendship and business relationship from years past. The installation's placement near the Capitol building made it highly visible to tourists and government officials alike.
According to official documentation, the artists or organizers behind the installation had obtained proper permits that were supposed to allow the statue to remain on display through Sunday. However, the piece was removed during overnight hours on September 23, 2025, well before the permitted timeframe expired. The circumstances surrounding the early removal remain unclear, and it's uncertain whether the decision came from park authorities, security concerns, or other administrative factors.
The statue's brief appearance on the National Mall represents the latest in a series of guerrilla art installations that have appeared in Washington, D.C. over recent years. Such installations often aim to make political statements or commentary on current events and public figures, though they frequently generate controversy and swift responses from authorities. The Trump-Epstein piece appears to have been designed to draw attention to the documented relationship between the former president and Epstein, who died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
