This Tuesday, March 10, a provocative sculpture appeared near the United States Capitol, depicting President Donald Trump tenderly holding the infamous Jeffrey Epstein, reminiscent of a well-known scene from the film Titanic (1997). Titled “King of the World,” this piece is the most recent Trump-critical installation by The Secret Handshake, an artist or collective maintaining anonymity. The artwork humorously envisions Trump in a pose with Epstein akin to the iconic moment where Jack and Rose, played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, stand at the ship’s bow, with Rose exclaiming, “I’m flying!” The work critiques their association following the mishandled release of Epstein-related documents by the Trump Justice Department.
Accompanying the sculpture, a plaque reads: “The tragic love story between Jack and Rose was built on luxurious travel, raucous parties, and secret nude sketches. This monument honors the bond between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, a friendship seemingly built on luxurious travel, raucous parties, and secret nude sketches.” The installation mimics the ship’s bow complete with a railing, and ten banners featuring Trump and Epstein flank the sculpture, satirizing recent attempts by Trump to incorporate his likeness on government buildings.
The artwork follows the Department of Justice’s release of previously withheld FBI documents to the Epstein library, including allegations involving Trump. These documents include a claim by a woman who reported a sexual encounter with Trump, facilitated by Epstein, when she was a minor. The Secret Handshake commented to Hyperallergic, “The President has been referring to himself as a king in Truth Social posts, and we wanted to honor that desire to be kinged by making him a version of one of the most iconic references in American Culture.” Previously, The Secret Handshake has explored Trump’s relationship with Epstein through other art pieces, such as a birthday card within a female silhouette and a sculpture of the two holding hands on the National Mall. The current sculpture is expected to remain on display until Friday, March 14.
