A controversial art installation with a satirical depiction of the United States President Donald Trump and the deceased convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as ‘Titanic’ lovers in a pose inspired by the iconic scene from the film appeared on the National Mall in Washington DC on Tuesday. Created by the anonymous artist collective Secret Handshake, the nearly 12-foot-tall statue drew attention for its provocative portrayal of the two figures.
Titled “The King of the World,” the installation is the latest in a series of political artworks by the same anonymous group targeting the US President.
Titanic-inspired statue faces Washington Monument
Painted entirely in gold, the sculpture shows Trump standing behind Epstein and embracing him on a replica of the bow of the ill-fated Titanic ship, mirroring the famous pose performed by the movie’s characters Jack and Rose.
The figures are oriented toward the Washington Monument, making the installation highly visible to visitors walking along the Mall. It is located on Third Street NW between Jefferson and Madison drives.
At the base of the structure are plaques containing satirical text that references the fictional romance in the film and draws parallels to the relationship between Trump and Epstein. The inscriptions mention luxury travel, lavish parties, and “secret nude sketches.”
The plaques read: “The tragic love story between Jack and Rose was built on luxurious travel, raucous parties, and secret nude sketches. This monument honours the bond between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, a friendship seemingly built on luxurious travel, raucous parties, and secret nude sketches.”
Banners placed between statue and Capitol
The installation also includes a row of ten banners positioned between the statue and the United States Capitol.
Each banner features a photograph of Trump and Epstein together and carries the slogan “Make America Safe Again.” The design also incorporates the United States Department of Justice emblem, though the word “Justice” has been visibly blacked out.
3rd artwork targeting Trump and Epstein
This is the third public installation by the group portraying the two figures together on the National Mall.
- January: The artists placed a large replica of a birthday message allegedly signed by Trump that appeared in a 2003 compilation of greetings for Epstein. Trump has denied writing the note and has said the signature does not belong to him.
- September: The collective installed a spray-painted bronze statue titled “Best Friends Forever,” depicting Trump and Epstein holding hands with one leg lifted behind them in a playful pose.
Identities of artists remain unknown
The individuals behind the project continue to conceal their identities, operating under the name Secret Handshake. According to reports, the group uses a go-between to secure permits from the National Park Service for displaying temporary art installations on the National Mall.
Permit documents usually include both the start and end dates of an installation. However, a copy of the permit associated with this latest artwork reportedly has the ending date redacted, leaving it unclear how long the piece will remain on display.