U.S. Official Says Statue Of Trump And Epstein Holding Hands Was Removed Because It 'Was Not Compliant With The Permit Issued'

A spokesperson for the Department of the Interior said a statue of President Donald Trump holding hands with disgraced financier and abuser Jeffrey Epstein was removed "because it was not compliant with the permit issued."

The official did not elaborate on why the statue was not in compliance, according to Axios. Titled "Best Friends Forever," its permit allowed it to remain in place until 8pm ET on Sunday.

The Secret Handshake Project, an anonymous group behind the statue, told the outlet they were supposed to be given 24 hours' written notice if authorities decided to remove it before the permit ended.

The statue appeared on Tuesday near the national mall, drawing immediate attention from visitors and setting off a storm of reactions online.

The bronze-colored figures, placed just steps from the White House, depict Trump and the late financier smiling and frolicking as if caught in a playful moment. At the base of the installation, a plaque declares: "In Honor of Friendship Month, which falls in September. We celebrate the long-lasting bond between President Donald J. Trump and his 'closest friend,' Jeffrey Epstein."

The Trump administration quickly responded to the statue. A White House spokesperson said, "Liberals are free to waste their money however they see fit, but it is not news that Epstein knew Donald Trump, because Donald Trump kicked Epstein out of his club for being a creep."

The president has acknowledged in past interviews that he once knew Epstein socially, particularly in the 1990s and early 2000s. He has consistently said he severed ties after learning of inappropriate behavior involving young women at Mar-a-Lago. Trump has also claimed Epstein was banned from his Palm Beach property, and his team repeated that point again Tuesday.

The relationship has been a point of contention for Trump, especially earlier this year following different reports claiming the president appeared in the so-called "Epstein files," which documented his activities and abuses. Trump has repeatedly denied being involved in any wrongdoing, highlighting he cut ties with Epstein before his actions came to light and had no prior knowledge of them.