Controversial Trump-Epstein Statue Briefly Appears on National Mall Before Removal
A 12-foot golden statue of President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, titled 'Best Friends Forever,' was prematurely removed from the National Mall for permit non-compliance.
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Overview
- A 12-foot golden statue, titled 'Best Friends Forever,' depicting President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein holding hands, mysteriously appeared on the National Mall.
- The U.S. Park Police and National Park Service promptly removed the statue from the National Mall, citing permit non-compliance as the reason.
- The Department of the Interior's permit regulations were reportedly violated by the statue's placement, leading to its premature removal by authorities.
- The Secret Handshake, the group behind the installation, asserted they did not receive proper notice regarding the statue's removal.
- President Trump has denied a close friendship with Epstein, acknowledging only an acquaintance, while the White House dismissed the statue as unimportant.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover the statue's removal factually, presenting both the organizers' claims of free speech violation and the National Park Service's explanation of permit non-compliance. They provide relevant background on the Trump-Epstein relationship and the group's previous protest art, maintaining an objective tone without employing loaded language or editorializing the event.
Articles (5)
FAQ
The statue was removed because it did not comply with the Department of the Interior's permit regulations for installations on the National Mall.
The statue was installed by a group called The Secret Handshake, which claimed they did not receive proper notice regarding its removal.
The statue depicts a 12-foot golden image of President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein holding hands, titled 'Best Friends Forever,' likely intended as a provocative commentary on their alleged connection.
President Trump denied having a close friendship with Epstein, stating they were only acquaintances, and the White House dismissed the statue as unimportant.
Installations on the National Mall require permits from the Department of the Interior and must comply with their regulations to ensure proper use of federal land and maintain safety and preservation standards.
History
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