On Sept. 23, 2025, a provocative statue depicting President Donald Trump and the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein holding hands was unveiled near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
A plaque below the bronze figures reads “In Honor of Friendship Month.” The installation quickly drew public attention and debate as images circulated widely across social media and news outlets.
Part of the Secret Handshake Project
The work is the third anti-Trump art installation from the activist collective known as the Secret Handshake Project since June 2025. The group has become known for its guerrilla-style displays, often placed in high-visibility areas with sharp political commentary.
The statue builds on their earlier works that also targeted the former president’s associations and legacy.
Artistic Message and Public Reaction
The depiction of Trump and Epstein holding hands is intended as a biting critique of the former president’s controversial past ties with Epstein.
The placement of the statue on the National Mall underscores its symbolic weight, suggesting a direct challenge to political power and historical memory in one of the country’s most prominent civic spaces.
The piece immediately sparked polarized reactions. Supporters of the installation praised it as bold and necessary political art, while critics condemned it as disrespectful and inflammatory. Security and maintenance crews were seen monitoring the site as onlookers gathered for photos and commentary.
Continuing a Pattern of Protest Art
With this third statue in as many months, the Secret Handshake Project has cemented its role as one of the most visible protest art movements of the 2025 political season.
The group’s stated aim is to use art to confront powerful figures and provoke public conversation about accountability, history, and ethics.
Whether temporary or permanent, the Trump-Epstein statue has already achieved one of the hallmarks of political art: sparking widespread attention and debate.
