Statues of President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein holding hands are displayed Tuesday at the National Mall in Washington by an anonymous group. Photo by Bridget Erin Craig/UPI
Sept. 24 (UPI) — The National Park Service on Wednesday removed bronze-colored statues of President Donald Trump and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein holding hands and frolicking on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
The papier-mache and paint statues were erected on Tuesday by an anonymous group called The Secret Handshake, UPI reported. The statues were near U.S. governmental buildings with the Capitol in the backdrop.
“We celebrate the long-lasting bond between President Donald J. Trump and his ‘closest friend,’ Jeffrey Epstein,” the middle plaque reads. “There must be more to life than having everything.”
A member of the group behind the statue told MSNBC that U.S. Park Police took down the statue around 5:30 a.m. EDT, although they had a permit that allowed them to remain through Sunday evening. CNN also confirmed the removal.
The group said it had initially been told it would be given 24 hours’ notice if the administration wanted it removed.
“Instead, they showed up in the middle of the night without notice and physically toppled the statue, broke it and took it away,” the group said.
The permit is for a 6-foot-tall statue, but the display is taller than that when combined with its base, which is almost as tall.
A spokesperson for the Department of the Interior, which oversees the Park Service, told MSNBC, “the statue was removed because it was not compliant with the permit issued.”
In a statement to Time magazine, the White House said, “Liberals are free to waste their money however they see fit — but it’s not news that Epstein knew Donald Trump, because Donald Trump kicked Epstein out of his club for being a creep.”
Trump is displayed with another plaque quoting the infamous 50th birthday card to Epstein, which reads in part, “A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.”
Epstein’s plaque reads: “Nor will I, since I also know what it is. Yes, we do come to think of it. As a matter of fact, it was clear to me the last time I saw you.”
Epstein died by suicide in jail on Aug. 10, 2019, while awaiting trial on federal charges of sex trafficking. He had been convicted on state charges of soliciting prostitution in Florida in 2008.
Tourists stopped before the statues out of curiosity and lined up to take photos.
“I think it’s a really good reminder about how artists are the ones that always push back on fascists first, on fascist governments,” D.C. resident Matt Gordon told UPI on Tuesday.
“This is a hoot,” D.C. resident Lelaina Brandet also told UPI. “It seems there’s other daily distractions, whether calling a marginalized group a terrorist organization or attacking some random vote to distract from what pretty much everybody from both sides wants — which is to see the release of the Epstein files.”
One week ago, a 12-foot golden Trump statue whose faceplate called him the “Bitcoin president” was displayed anonymously at the same location for about a day before being taken down.
“It is great to have these artists that keep pushing the focus of ‘Hey, let’s not forget this is what America wants right now.’ We love it. It’s fantastic,” resident Brandet said.
In 2024, the group’s “The Resolute Desk” and “The Donald J. Trump Enduring Flame” statues went viral. In June, their “Dictator Approved” statue and another of a golden television appeared.
“Before this, they’ve never been anything but friendly to work with,” Patrick and Carol Flaisher, an independent contractor who files the group’s permits, told CNN.
The group said they were able to view the removed statues. Trump’s head was split in half.
“It’s a great example of where we’re headed in this country when it comes to freedom of speech,” Patrick said.
Last week, a giant banner with Trump and Epstein was unveiled on the lawn outside Windsor Castle, where Trump was hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The banner was removed before Trump arrived in Britain.
Protesters then projected images of them on the walls of Windsor Castle. Also targeted was Prince Andrew, who was associated with Epstein.