A controversial statue depicting former U.S. President Donald Trump holding hands with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has resurfaced in Washington, D.C., days after being removed by authorities.
The bronze-painted statue—titled “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” (formerly “Best Friends Forever”)—was reinstalled on Thursday, October 3, just steps away from the U.S. Capitol building on the National Mall. Standing over three meters tall (roughly 10 feet), the statue has reignited political and cultural debates over public art, accountability, and the shadow cast by Epstein’s crimes.
Installed by satirical artist group “The Secret Handshake”
The work was created by a collective of anonymous artists who call themselves The Secret Handshake. Known for provocative political installations, the group confirmed it had returned the statue to its original location after receiving temporary permission from the National Park Service (NPS).
“Just like a toppled Confederate general forced back onto a public square, the Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein statue has risen from the rubble to stand gloriously on the National Mall once again,” a spokesperson for the group told The Los Angeles Times.
The artists said the statue is a form of political satire aimed at raising questions about leadership, justice, and the public’s right to confront uncomfortable truths through art.
Statue removed, then reinstated with permit
The statue was first placed on the National Mall on September 24 but was removed within 24 hours by the NPS, which cited non-compliance with the terms of the initial permit. A spokesperson for the Department of the Interior said the artwork had been taken down because it violated the conditions under which it was temporarily allowed.
However, according to reports from CNN, a new temporary permit was approved by the NPS on September 30—just one day before a potential U.S. government shutdown—allowing the artists to reinstall the piece.
The statue suffered visible damage during its initial dismantling but has since been repaired and restored for public display.
Symbolism and public reaction
The statue has drawn strong reactions from the public and political commentators alike. For critics, the imagery underscores the long-standing association between Trump and Epstein, both of whom were known to have socialized extensively before Epstein’s criminal allegations became widely known.
Trump, who has denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of Epstein’s crimes, distanced himself from the disgraced financier years before Epstein’s 2019 arrest. However, their past friendship has continued to raise questions, particularly amid ongoing public interest in the so-called “Epstein files”—a collection of documents and records tied to Epstein’s sex trafficking network.
Epstein’s death and conspiracy theories
Jeffrey Epstein died in August 2019 while in federal custody awaiting trial for sex trafficking of underage girls. His death was officially ruled a suicide by hanging. However, the circumstances surrounding his death—including alleged failures by jail staff, broken security cameras, and Epstein’s high-profile connections—have led to widespread conspiracy theories.
Many of Trump’s supporters have embraced theories that Epstein was murdered to protect powerful individuals, despite no conclusive evidence to support such claims.
In July 2025, the Trump administration—during his second term—announced that no new evidence had been found to justify reopening an investigation or releasing additional documents related to Epstein.
Art as protest or provocation?
The statue’s reappearance has sparked renewed discussion about the role of public art in addressing political accountability and historical memory. Critics have called it disrespectful or inflammatory, while supporters argue that such displays force necessary conversations around power, complicity, and justice.
Whether viewed as satire, protest, or political commentary, The Secret Handshake’s work has undeniably reignited a cultural flashpoint that continues to polarize the American public.
