Overview

• The sculpture depicting Trump and Jeffrey Epstein holding hands appeared near the U.S. Capitol and was removed overnight by the U.S. Park Police for lacking a permit.
• An anonymous collective calling itself The Secret Handshake claimed responsibility in one report, though authorities have not identified the creator.
• Plaques on the piece referenced a purported birthday message to Epstein that a congressional committee publicized this month; Trump disputes its authenticity and has sued a media outlet that published it.
• The White House defended broad document releases as transparency while criticizing political opponents and media coverage, and a spokesperson rejected that Trump and Epstein were close friends.
• The episode fits a recent pattern of unauthorized satirical installations in Washington as debates continue over released records, survivors’ calls for fuller disclosure, and official findings that include no evidence of a so‑called client list.