Trump, Epstein statue returns to National Mall after removal

A statue of President Donald Trump and the late Jeffrey Epstein has returned to the National Mall after its removal last week.

The statue appeared fully restored Thursday, after parts of it were broken and Trump and Epstein’s hands were no longer joined, The according to the Washington Post.

The plaque under the statue that reads, “In Honor of Friendship Month,” followed by, “We celebrate the long-lasting bond between President Donald J. Trump and his ‘closest friend,’ Jeffrey Epstein.”

Epstein, a wealthy financier, died in a New York City jail in 2019 awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges, after having served 13 months, as part of a 2007 plea agreement, for two Florida prostitution charges. Trump and Epstein were friends in the 1990s, but Trump distanced himself from Epstein after the Florida charges. 

Trump has recently faced criticism for having promised during his successful 2024 reelection campaign to investigate Epstein, including an alleged list of powerful, well-known men for whom he supplied women. 

But administration officials now saying no such list exists has resulted in speculation that the probe was squashed because Trump was on the alleged list. 

Two other under the statue plaques include a message reportedly written by Trump on a birthday card for Epstein more than 20 years ago, which Democrats on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee released earlier this month, after the Epstein estate turned it over to the panel. Trump has denied that the message and card were from him.

U.S. Park Police said last week that it removed the statue because it was not in compliance with a permit.

An email on Tuesday from the Park Service confirmed receipt of the latest permit application. On Thursday, the permit was confirmed to go into effect at noon.

The White House declined to comment on the return of the statue, pointing to its statement when the statue was first placed on the Mall.