A towering reproduction of a birthday message bearing Donald Trump’s name—reported to have been included in a collection of letters gifted to the late financier and convicted *** offender Jeffrey Epstein—has been erected on the National Mall in Washington, DC.
The 10-foot-tall piece is the latest installation from a group calling itself “The Secret Handshake.” One side of the structure recreates the note that was described as part of a “birthday book” assembled for Epstein in the early 2000s. The message, as previously reported, included an outline of a nude woman and a “Donald” signature, and ended with the line: “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.”
The reverse side reads: “Happy Birthday To A ‘Terrific Guy!’” Epstein’s birthday is January 20. A plaque near the installation invites passersby to sign the oversized card with a message addressed to the Trump administration.
In a statement, The Secret Handshake said the installation appeared overnight on Sunday and is permitted to remain in place until Friday, January 23. CNN said it contacted the National Park Service for additional details.
The Wall Street Journal first reported on the note in July of last year. Trump has denied signing the letter and has rejected claims that he had a close relationship with Epstein. He has also suggested someone else could have written it and signed his name. Trump has sued the newspaper over the report.
Trump has not been accused of legal wrongdoing related to Epstein, who died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on ***-trafficking charges.
The “birthday book” referenced in reporting was later discussed after House Oversight Committee materials released in September included a wide-ranging trove of documents tied to Epstein’s life—spanning items such as early records and photographs, along with materials related to his private residences. The compilation was attributed to Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell and reportedly included notes, photos, and personal exchanges.
The installation arrives as the administration faces renewed pressure to release additional Epstein-related records. The Justice Department said earlier this month it had released 12,285 documents—less than 1% of the files—while more than 2 million documents remain under review. A law signed last year set a December 19, 2025 deadline for the full release of Epstein-related files.
The Secret Handshake has placed other provocative works in Washington in recent months. In the fall, the group installed a sculpture titled “Best Friends Forever” depicting Trump and Epstein holding hands. Other past pieces have included “The Donald J. Trump Enduring Flame,” a bronze tiki torch, and “Dictator Approved,” a work showing a golden thumbs-up crushing the Statue of Liberty’s crown.
