A provocative statue depicting President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein holding hands was installed on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., featuring plaques referencing a controversial letter from Trump to Epstein.

The statue, created by an anonymous group known as 'The Secret Handshake,' was made from foam, resin, wood, and wire, and was permitted to remain until September 28, 2025.

Despite the permit allowing the display until late September, the statue was swiftly removed before sunrise on a late Wednesday morning by the U.S. Park Police, who cited non-compliance with permit conditions.

The removal was carried out without prior notice, and during the process, the statue was reportedly broken and taken away, with footage showing it being destroyed in the middle of the night.

The Department of the Interior claimed the removal was due to permit violations, but critics argued it was an act of political censorship amid ongoing debates over free speech and expression.

The installation was heavily secured, indicating it was organized as a formal protest or exhibit, and the group behind it accused the administration of suppressing free speech and hiding information related to Epstein.

The controversy is heightened by ongoing efforts to release Epstein-related investigation and prosecution records, including a campaign to disclose Epstein's client list, which the Justice Department has denied exists.

Recent polls suggest that over two-thirds of Americans believe the Trump administration is hiding information about Epstein's clients, fueling public suspicion and political pressure.

The artwork was created by an anonymous group known for politically provocative pieces, and this was their third public art intervention using irony and humor to provoke political discussion.

The controversy surrounding Epstein's case is compounded by ongoing demands for transparency, with the DOJ releasing Epstein files in July that concluded there was no evidence of a client list, despite continued public and congressional calls for more information.

The incident occurs against the backdrop of broader political tensions, including President Trump's recent efforts to avoid discussing Epstein, contrasting with past remarks where he publicly expressed doubts about Epstein's death.

The statue had full-time security and was intended as a temporary exhibit, with the creators remaining anonymous, and it was scheduled to stay on display until 8 pm on Sunday.