Trump Slams Statue Showing Him with Jeffrey Epstein

President Donald Trump has reacted strongly to a satirical statue erected on the National Mall that shows him holding hands and frolicking with the late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

This 12-foot faux-bronze piece, which popped up in September 2025, has sparked a new round of political bickering, adding to the ongoing controversy surrounding the recent release of Epstein-related documents by the House Oversight Committee.

Trump Calls Out “Liberal Stunt” at National Mall

A spokesperson for the White House criticized the statue, telling TMZ, “Liberals can waste their money however they want.” The administration is working to shift the narrative, reiterating Trump’s previous claim that he “kicked Epstein out of his club for being a creep.”

The spokesperson accused Democrats and the media of being aware of Epstein’s victims for years but choosing to remain silent, contrasting this with Trump’s approach, which they argue is about transparency through document releases. This statue was set up by a mysterious group known as “The Secret Handshake” to celebrate Friendship Month.

 

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Statue as a Nod to “Long-Lasting Bond”

The contentious statue is adorned with three plaques that highlight “the long-lasting bond between President Donald J. Trump and his ‘closest friend’ Jeffrey Epstein.” One plaque even features a quote supposedly from a birthday card Trump wrote to Epstein.

A representative from The Secret Handshake, who has previously created provocative art, said their goal was to publicly acknowledge what they called Trump’s “only true friend,” who was known to have partied, traveled, and visited Mar-a-Lago with him.

White House Challenges Epstein “Birthday Book” Note

This artistic demonstration comes after the House Oversight Committee released a “birthday book” from Epstein’s estate, which allegedly contained a note from Trump.

The note, which was typed inside the outline of a female figure, said, “Happy Birthday and may every day be another wonderful secret,” and was signed “Donald J. Trump.” The White House has strongly disputed its authenticity, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt asserting, “It’s very clear President Trump didn’t draw this picture, nor did he sign it.”

Trump’s Changing Stories About Epstein Friendship Draws Criticism

Questions surrounding the president’s relationship with Epstein have persisted. Trump has acknowledged a friendship that lasted over a decade before they parted ways. He has offered varying explanations for their fallout, initially stating in 2019 that it “doesn’t make any difference,” but more recently claiming it was because Epstein was a “creep” who “stole” employees from Mar-a-Lago’s spa an assertion that resonates with allegations made by Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre.

This shifting narrative has prompted pushback from Democrats like Representative Jasmine Crockett, who stated, “If you will lie about something this simple… why should we believe you?”

Growing Bipartisan Calls for Transparency on Epstein Files

The statue and the release of the birthday book have amplified bipartisan demands for full transparency regarding the so-called Epstein files. While in opposition, Trump and Vice President JD Vance had vowed to investigate Epstein, but the Justice Department reversed that stance after taking office, declaring in July 2025 that no additional disclosures were needed and that a much-touted “client list” did not exist.

This has generated pressure even from within Trump’s own party, with politicians like Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) teaming up with Democrats to push for a vote on releasing the documents.