The 3D model of the sculpture was released under a CC0 license.
Best Friends Forever is a 12-foot-tall (3.7m) statue consisting of two sculptures on podiums, depicting incumbent United States president Donald Trump (north) holding hands and frolicking with the late convicted sex offenderJeffrey Epstein (south).[3][4][5] Three plaques were located at the foot of Trump, Epstein, and center of the base. The center plaque stated "In honor of Friendship Month, we celebrate the long-lasting bond between President Donald J. Trump and his 'closest friend' Jeffrey Epstein." The sculpture was created in protest of the relationship of Trump and Epstein and the closely associated sexual misconduct allegations against Trump; it was constructed from foam, resin, wood, and wire, and colored to appear bronze on a marble base.[3][5]
History
Through location manager Carol Flaisher,[6]Best Friends Forever received permit to be displayed at the east end of the National Mall, across the street from the United States Capitol Building, for the duration of its installation on Tuesday, September 23, until 8:00 PM Sunday, September 28.[3] This permit outlined that The Secret Handshake was to be notified with cause 24 hours prior to any premature removal,[6] and the statue provided full-time security by United States Park Police (USPP).[7]
On the morning of September 24, at around 5:30 AM, several USPP vehicles arrived on-site, some noted by onlookers to be unmarked.[7] Officers proceeded to dismantle Best Friends Forever, damaging it.[5][8][9] Park Police told CBS through WUSA that the sculpture was removed due to not being in compliance with its permit, but did not show said permit or initially explain how it was in violation.[7][8] An unidentified USPP officer was recorded telling civilians during the dismantling that the issue was due to the installation being "too big", despite there being larger and taller statues on display at the National Mall.[6]
Flaisher told USA Today that the removal of the statue was "unbelievable", stating that she "never had this problem" in her 40-year career as a location manager.[6] Flaisher added that she and The Secret Handshake never received any advance notices, and were not informed of the apparent permit violation until they had already reacquired the sculpture's parts and attempted repair.[6]
A week after its removal, it was reported on October 2 that the statue had been reinstalled on the National Mall.[1][10]
Reception
Commenting on the statue, Stephen Colbert on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert joked about its realism and categorized it as a "victory for free speech" on par with the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! being lifted. Following the sculpture's removal, Colbert went on to sarcastically thank the USPP "for protecting free speech for almost 24 hours".[6][11]
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