An anonymous artist collective called the Secret Handshake has installed a 12-foot-tall statue in Washington, D.C., depicting Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein holding hands and twirling, titled "The Secret Handshake." The sculpture, made from wood, foam, and resin, includes plaques quoting a birthday message Trump reportedly wrote to Epstein and a satirical reference to free speech. The artists declined to identify themselves, speaking through a pseudonymous representative, and stated the work aims to highlight the public friendship between the two men, both of whom have been accused of abusing women.
This statue matters because it reignites public scrutiny of Trump's relationship with Epstein, a convicted sex offender, at a politically charged moment when calls to release Epstein-related files are growing across the political spectrum. By placing the work near the U.S. Capitol, the artists use provocative public art to challenge official narratives and provoke debate about power, accountability, and the limits of free expression. The piece also continues a pattern of unauthorized Trump statues appearing in Washington, underscoring how guerrilla art can disrupt political discourse.