<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Another statue of Donald Trump and the late Jeffrey Epstein has appeared in the heart of America's capital, Washington.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The anonymous artist collective known as "The Secret Handshake" has struck again, erecting the four-metre-tall statue, which depicts the president and the disgraced financier in the iconic "king of the world" pose from the film </span><em><span>Titanic</span></em><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Spray-painted in a garish gold, the installation features Trump standing behind Epstein on a replica of the ship's bow, both peering towards the Washington Monument. It is the latest in a series of hit-and-run satirical installations designed to force the American public to confront the historical ties between the two men.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/joe-rogan-donald-trump-iran-insane-betrayed-usa-news/749817fd-6b65-4363-aa45-e78fdd01762a" rel="" target="" title="Joe Rogan pans Donald Trump's 'insane' actions in Iran"><strong><span>Joe Rogan pans Donald Trump's 'insane' actions in Iran</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The base of the statue carries a biting inscription, comparing the film's Jack and Rose romance to the Trump-Epstein connection: "This monument honours the bond between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, a friendship seemingly built on luxurious travel, raucous parties and secret nude sketches."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>While the White House has previously dismissed such works as partisan stunts — with spokeswoman Abigail Jackson questioning when "wealthy Democrat donors" would create similar sculptures of their own party members — the reaction on the ground in DC reveals a nation deeply divided by its own political theatre.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>The Washington Post </span></em><span>reported the installation had become an overnight pilgrimage site for tourists and locals alike, eliciting a mixture of "praise and scorn".</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/world/new-statue-of-trump-and-epstein-appears-in-washington/ab285f5c-3aae-4771-8e2f-e4fca5559fb6" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>For many passersby, the statue is a necessary reminder of unanswered questions. Local resident Donna Powell told the </span><em><span>Post</span></em><span> she appreciated the bluntness of the message.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"With Trump declaring war on Iran, we know he's trying to distract from the Epstein files," Powell said. "This brings the files back to the forefront. A lot can be said with art."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>While some said they saw the very existence of the — placed just metres from the US Capitol — as proof that the First Amendment remains alive and well, others were not so sure.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>One visitor from Pennsylvania, identified only as Josh, told the newspaper that he steered his young children away from the crowd. "I don't love seeing it here," he said. "It's a little distasteful and it's not really helping the conversation."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In September, the same group of artists erected a sculpture of the Republican president and Epstein gleefully holding hands in front of the Capitol. It was promptly removed.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The same collective also created a poop statue criticising January 6 rioters and a large replica of Trump's alleged birthday letter to Epstein.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The National Park Service permit for the installation reportedly had its end date redacted, leaving it unclear how long the golden duo will remain.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></strong></em><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><em><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Apple</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>ticking this box here</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Sign up to</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></strong></em></a></li></ul></div></div>