A controversial statue depicting former US president Donald Trump and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein recreating the iconic bow-of-the-ship pose from the 1997 blockbuster film Titanic has appeared on the National Mall in Washington, DC, drawing widespread public attention and sparking heated debate.
The sculpture, titled "King of the World," stands nearly 12 feet tall and shows a gold-painted Trump standing behind Epstein with his arms stretched outward, mimicking the famous cinematic scene in which Jack and Rose stand at the front of the doomed ship.
The installation is positioned facing the Washington Monument, making it highly visible to visitors at one of the United States' most symbolic public spaces.
The artwork was created by an anonymous artist collective known as The Secret Handshake, which has previously installed similar satirical pieces in the US capital, highlighting Trump's past association with Epstein.
According to reports, the statue is intended as political commentary, using pop-culture imagery and satire to draw attention to the controversial relationship between the two men.
Plaques placed at the base of the sculpture contain pointed messaging referencing the famous Titanic scene.
One plaque compares the fictional romance between Jack and Rose, described as involving "luxurious travel, raucous parties and secret nude sketches", to what it calls the "bond" between Trump and Epstein.
Several banners have also been placed around the installation featuring photos of Trump and Epstein together alongside the slogan "Make America Safe Again."
Some banners include a modified version of the US Justice Department seal with the word "Justice" partially redacted, further emphasizing the piece's political message.
The statue quickly became a focal point for visitors and social media users after images of it circulated online. Reactions have been sharply divided.
Some observers praised the installation as a provocative piece of protest art that encourages discussion about accountability and political power. Others criticised it as distasteful or unnecessarily provocative.
The White House reportedly dismissed the statue as partisan political theatre and accused critics of hypocrisy for focusing on Trump while ignoring other figures linked to Epstein.
This is not the first time the collective behind the artwork has targeted the Trump-Epstein relationship. In 2025, the same group installed a sculpture titled "Best Friends Forever," showing the two men holding hands on the National Mall.
Earlier this year, another installation called the "Jeffrey Epstein Walk of Shame" appeared in Washington, featuring stars named after prominent figures connected to Epstein.
Whether viewed as political satire or an offensive stunt, the latest sculpture has once again turned the National Mall into a stage for artistic protest, demonstrating how public art continues to play a role in America's ongoing political and cultural debates.