A provocative new piece of political satire has appeared on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and it is already sparking widespread conversation online. The artwork, titled The King of the World, depicts Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein in a pose inspired by the iconic scene from the film Titanic. The statue reportedly appeared on March 10, 2026, and quickly drew attention from visitors and social media users alike. The piece portrays the two figures in the famous “I’m the king of the world” stance popularized in the James Cameron film, turning one of cinema’s most recognizable moments into a sharp piece of political commentary.
According to reports circulating online, the installation was placed by anonymous artists. The creators have not publicly revealed their identities, but the artwork appears to be part of a continuing series of satirical installations referencing the controversial history between the two figures.
The statue also includes a plaque that frames the piece as a dark parody of Titanic’s legendary love story between Jack and Rose. In the description accompanying the installation, the artists reference themes of luxury travel, extravagant parties, and secret nude sketches, drawing parallels between the fictional romance in the film and what they portray as the relationship between the former U.S. president and the disgraced financier.
This is not the first time these anonymous artists have staged a similar installation. In September, another artwork reportedly appeared featuring Trump and Epstein holding hands under the title Best Friends Forever. That earlier piece also generated significant online discussion before eventually being removed.
The new statue has reignited conversations about the controversial connections between Trump and Epstein, whose criminal history and associations with powerful figures have been widely scrutinized over the years. Epstein, who was convicted of sex offenses involving minors, died in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges.
While it remains unclear how long The King of the World will remain on display at the National Mall, the installation has already achieved its goal of provoking reaction. Whether viewed as political satire, protest art, or shock commentary, the statue is another example of how public art continues to intersect with politics and pop culture in highly visible ways.
