Giant 'Titanic'-style Trump–Epstein statue on National Mall draws praise and criticism

A new satirical installation depicting US president Donald Trump and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein in a pose inspired by the film Titanic has appeared on the National Mall, drawing both praise and criticism from visitors.

According to a report by The Washington Post, the nearly 12-foot-tall installation was placed on the Mall yesterday morning (10 March) by an anonymous group of artists known as "The Secret Handshake," who have previously staged several provocative artworks targeting Trump in Washington.

Spray-painted gold, the sculpture recreates the famous "bow of the ship" scene from Titanic. In the piece, Trump stands behind Epstein as the pair face the Washington Monument from a replica ship bow, mimicking the pose of the movie's characters Jack and Rose.

At the base of the installation are plaques explaining the concept behind the artwork. One reads: "The tragic love story between Jack and Rose was built on luxurious travel, raucous parties, and secret nude sketches. This monument honors the bond between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, a friendship seemingly built on luxurious travel, raucous parties and secret nude sketches."

Between the statue and the United States Capitol, the artists also installed ten banners featuring photographs of Trump and Epstein together. The banners are stamped with the phrase "Make America Safe Again" alongside the insignia of the United States Department of Justice, with the word "Justice" visibly redacted.

Trump previously acknowledged knowing Epstein socially in Florida but has said their relationship ended in the mid-2000s. Epstein died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. Trump has consistently maintained that he was unaware of Epstein's criminal activities.

The latest sculpture marks the third installation placed on the National Mall by the same anonymous collective depicting the two figures. In January, the group displayed a large reproduction of a birthday note and crude drawing signed with the typed name "Donald Trump" and a "Donald" signature that appeared in a 2003 birthday book compiled for Epstein. Trump has denied writing the message and said the signature was not his.

Earlier, in September, the group unveiled another sculpture titled "Best Friends Forever," showing Trump and Epstein holding hands with one foot raised behind them.

Although the artists operate anonymously, they reportedly use intermediaries to obtain permits from the National Park Service for placing temporary installations on the Mall. Permits usually list the duration of such displays, but on the permit obtained by The Washington Post the end date for the new installation had been redacted. It remains unclear whether the redaction was made by the park service or intentionally included as part of the artwork.

The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The National Mall has long served as a platform for protest art and advocacy installations highlighting social or political issues. Near the statue, for example, a colorectal cancer awareness display featuring thousands of blue flags is currently on view.

Visitors to the Mall reacted with a mix of amusement, curiosity, and criticism as crowds gathered around the installation throughout the day.

"I like that they keep popping up to remind people what happened," said Nick Smith, 45, of Navy Yard, who noted that he's seen most of the statues and installations the mysterious artists have placed on the Mall. "This one is just a little funnier than the others."

District residents Don and Donna Powell travelled to see the statue and pose for photographs beside it.

"With Trump declaring war on Iran, we know he's trying to distract from the Epstein files," said Donna, 67. "This brings the files back to the forefront. A lot can be said with art."

"With the assault on the First Amendment, what's getting through is comedians and artists," her husband concurred.

Steve Fleckenstein from Arlington, Virginia, encountered the installation while walking with his wife during a visit to celebrate their 36th wedding anniversary. He said the statue's presence near the Capitol was encouraging.

"We're just yards away from the Capitol and someone is able to put this up which tells me there is reason for hope," Fleckenstein said.

Others, however, expressed discomfort with the display.

A family visiting from Pennsylvania avoided the crowd gathered around the statue.

"I don't love seeing it here," said Josh, who declined to give his last name. "It's a little distasteful and it's not really helping the conversation."

Jane Gilbert, 51, who was visiting Washington, DC from Atlanta, paused during a run to examine the sculpture.

"It's so needed for levity and calling out what should not be normalized or hidden," Gilbert said of the statue. "However, it doesn't actually move the needle any more than social media rants. What is needed is elected officials doing the less glamorous daily and often slow work to help all boats to rise rather then merely keeping us entertained or enraged as we all drown."