A large protest sculpture portraying President Donald Trump and the late financier Jeffrey Epstein in a dramatic pose inspired by the film Titanic has appeared on the National Mall in Washington, drawing crowds and sparking a wide range of reactions from visitors and passersby.

The installation, rising roughly twelve feet high and finished in gold paint, depicts the two figures standing on the bow of a stylized ship in a pose reminiscent of the famous cinematic scene in which characters stretch their arms toward the horizon.

The artwork was placed near the Washington Monument along a corridor of the Mall frequently used for demonstrations, public art and free-speech displays.

The sculpture was created by an anonymous artist collective that has previously installed several politically themed pieces in the capital.

Organizers obtained a permit through the National Park Service, which routinely authorizes temporary installations on the Mall as part of longstanding First Amendment protections allowing protest art and public expression in the area.

At the base of the installation, plaques and banners reference the historical social connections between Trump and Epstein, relationships that both men acknowledged in earlier decades when they moved in similar business and social circles.

Trump has consistently stated that he eventually distanced himself from Epstein and has emphasized that he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal conduct.

Visitors gathered around the installation throughout the day, photographing the statue and discussing its message.

Some observers described the piece as an example of provocative political art designed to draw attention to unresolved questions surrounding Epstein’s network and the release of government files related to the case.

Others viewed the display as an example of the sharp tone that increasingly characterizes political debate in the United States.

Public art and protest installations have long been a feature of the National Mall, where advocacy groups, artists and campaign organizations frequently mount displays highlighting political issues, historical events or social causes.

The space has hosted everything from memorial exhibits to temporary sculptures intended to provoke conversation about current affairs.

The appearance of the statue is the latest in a series of installations by the same anonymous collective, which has repeatedly used sculpture to comment on political controversies in Washington.

Previous works referencing Trump and Epstein were also placed briefly on the Mall before being removed or relocated.

While reactions to the sculpture have ranged from praise to criticism, the installation has succeeded in drawing attention and debate among visitors to the nation’s capital, illustrating how art in public spaces continues to serve as a powerful medium for political expression.