Controversy on the National Mall: The Removal of the Trump-Epstein “Best Friends Forever” Statue

In a provocative act of political art and public protest, an anonymous artist group known as The Secret Handshake installed a statue titled Best Friends Forever on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. in September 2025. The bronze-painted sculpture depicted President Donald Trump and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein holding hands and skipping joyfully, accompanied by plaques alluding to their past association and controversially celebrating their “friendship.” Despite having a permit to display the artwork until September 28, the statue was controversially removed by the U.S. Park Police under the Department of the Interior’s direction less than 24 hours after it appeared, sparking fierce debates about free speech, censorship, and political transparency.

The Statue and Its Symbolism

The Best Friends Forever statue portrayed former President Trump and Epstein as almost gleeful companions, standing on white pedestals near the U.S. Capitol with a plaque that cheekily honored “Friendship Month” and their “long-lasting bond.” The imagery mocked the historically secretive and controversial nature of Trump’s relationship with Epstein, who died in federal custody in 2019 awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Two additional plaques quoted from a controversial birthday card purportedly sent from Trump to Epstein in 2003, released publicly by the House Oversight Committee earlier in the month. The card's phrase “May every day be another wonderful secret” fueled the controversy, with Trump denying its authenticity and filing a $10 billion defamation suit against the Wall Street Journal over its reporting NPRNBC News.

The Removal: A Rush Toward Censorship?

Though The Secret Handshake group had secured a permit from the National Park Service authorizing the display of the statue until the evening of September 28, U.S. Park Police arrived unexpectedly around 5:30 AM on September 24 to dismantle and remove the statue. The Department of the Interior justified the removal by citing permit non-compliance, though no detailed explanation was provided publicly.

The Secret Handshake accused the Trump administration of acting covertly to censor the artwork without giving the required 24-hour written notice to dismantle it themselves, as stipulated by the permit agreement. They claimed the statue was forcibly toppled and damaged during removal, describing the action as a serious infringement on free speech and political dissent USA TodayFox News.

White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson dismissed the statue as a waste of money by liberals and reiterated Trump's distancing from Epstein, stating that Trump had banned Epstein from his club due to inappropriate behavior Washingtonian.

The Broader Context: Art as Political Statement

This statue is a continuation of The Secret Handshake’s campaign of politically charged art installations meant to spark dialogue and expose uncomfortable truths. Previous works by the group include a sculpture called “Dictator Approved,” which depicted a giant hand crushing the Statue of Liberty’s crown, and the “Gold TV statue” showing Trump dancing with Epstein on screen.

The Best Friends Forever installation foregrounds ongoing scrutiny of Trump’s connections to Epstein at a time when the Trump administration faces legal and political pressure regarding the release of Epstein-related documents. These documents have become a flashpoint within both political and public spheres, making the statue a symbolic battleground of narratives and transparency Reuters.

Image Sources

• The statue Best Friends Forever on the National Mall: Photography courtesy of The Secret Handshake, widely shared on social platforms and news outlets such as CNN.

• U.S. Park Police removing the statue at dawn: Captured in eyewitness videos reported by NPR.

• Associated protest art by The Secret Handshake group and political events: As documented by USA Today.

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FAQ

Q: What was the Best Friends Forever statue?
A: It was a bronze-painted sculpture depicting President Trump and Jeffrey Epstein holding hands and skipping, installed as political protest art on the National Mall.

Q: Who created the statue?
A: The anonymous political art group known as The Secret Handshake took responsibility for its installation.

Q: Why was the statue removed so quickly?
A: The U.S. Park Police removed it early, citing non-compliance with the permit issued by the National Park Service.

Q: Did the removal violate free speech rights?
A: The Secret Handshake argues that the removal was an act of censorship without the required notice, raising concerns about suppression of political dissent.

Q: What is the history between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein?
A: They socialized in the 1980s and 1990s; Trump has distanced himself since Epstein’s 2006 indictment and 2019 death, denying close ties.

Q: Are there related artworks by The Secret Handshake?
A: Yes, previous works include “Dictator Approved” and the “Gold TV statue,” both politically critical installations in Washington, D.C.