'Jeffrey Epstein Walk of Shame' stickers appear near White House
The stickers mimic the design of the Hollywood Walk of Fame and feature the names of prominent individuals associated with Epstein, along with QR codes directing viewers to entries in documents released by the US Department of Justice (DOJ)
A series of stickers dubbed the "Jeffrey Epstein Walk of Shame" has appeared near the White House, publicly naming figures linked to the late convicted sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein.
According to a report by The Independent, the display surfaced in Washington, DC's Farragut Square, just steps from the White House. The stickers mimic the design of the Hollywood Walk of Fame and feature the names of prominent individuals associated with Epstein, along with QR codes directing viewers to entries in documents released by the US Department of Justice (DOJ).
The files, published in December and January under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, list individuals connected to Epstein. Inclusion in the documents does not in itself imply wrongdoing. However, several high-profile figures have faced scrutiny over their past associations with him.
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Among those named on the stickers are Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's jailed associate; former US president Bill Clinton; Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor; Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates; former Harvard president Larry Summers; businessman Les Wexner; and US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. All have denied prior knowledge of Epstein's criminal activities.
Clinton and Wexner have recently testified before the Republican-led House Oversight Committee regarding their past ties to Epstein. Clinton told the panel Friday that he "did nothing wrong," that he "saw nothing that ever gave me pause" regarding Epstein's behavior, and that he cut ties with him long before his 2008 guilty plea.
Wexner told lawmakers last month, "I was naive, foolish, and gullible to put any trust in Jeffrey Epstein. At no time did I ever witness the side of Epstein's life for which he is now infamous."
Gates has apologised to staff at his foundation over past dealings with Epstein. Summers has stepped down from his teaching role at Harvard. Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested last month amid a police investigation into allegations that he shared market-sensitive information with Epstein.
Lutnick has said he lived near Epstein in Manhattan and once visited his private Caribbean island with his family but had no further involvement. He has faced calls to resign and may be summoned to testify before the committee.
A sticker bearing Tesla chief Elon Musk's name was also reportedly placed but was later removed. The DOJ files include a 2012 email in which Musk discussed potentially visiting Epstein's island with his then-wife.
Musk posted on X in late January, "No one pushed harder than me to have the Epstein files released, and I'm glad that has finally happened.
"I had very little correspondence with Epstein and declined repeated invitations to go to his island or fly on his 'Lolita Express,' but was well aware that some email correspondence with him could be misinterpreted and used by detractors to smear my name."
The renewed focus on Epstein's network comes amid heightened political tensions. Kentucky Republican Representative Thomas Massie wrote on X on Sunday, "PSA: Bombing a country on the other side of the globe won't make the Epstein files go away, any more than the Dow going above 50,000 will."
The remark followed US airstrikes on Iran over the weekend and echoed claims raised in media commentary, including during a Saturday Night Live skit, that military action could distract from the Epstein controversy.
US President Donald Trump has not been formally accused of wrongdoing in relation to Epstein, but has faced questions about their past friendship. The two were neighbours in Palm Beach, Florida, and Trump described Epstein to New York magazine in 2002 as a "terrific guy." He has since said he ended their relationship in 2004 and later referred to Epstein as a "creep."
Last year, a satirical statue depicting Trump and Epstein holding hands appeared on the National Mall before being removed by federal agents. The group behind it said the installation was titled "Best Friends Forever."
The Independent reported that it had contacted the White House for comment on the stickers.
