A satirical statue depicting President Donald Trump and the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was erected in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on the National Mall in February 2026. The temporary installation, titled “King of the World,” drew large crowds and was widely shared on social media.
National Mall Showdown
NPR described the installation as part of a “propaganda war” on the National Mall between the Trump administration and its critics. In that account, the president’s image is displayed on federal buildings while satirical statues and posters are placed below.
The statue was documented by Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images. NPR’s article on the statue was published on April 1, 2026.
What Was Installed
The work depicted President Donald Trump and the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. It was temporary and appeared in February 2026 in front of the U.S. Capitol.
The title of the piece, “King of the World,” was described as a play on a scene from the film Titanic. The installation attracted large crowds and was widely shared on social media.
Who Set the Frame
The article’s framing placed the statue inside a wider conflict over imagery on the National Mall. NPR said the National Mall was the site of a “propaganda war” between the Trump administration and its critics.
The report did not add further details about who created the statue or how long it remained in place. The available facts center on the location, the figures depicted, the title, and the public reaction.
The installation stood in front of the U.S. Capitol, on the National Mall, where it became part of a broader visual contest involving federal buildings, satirical displays, and social media circulation.