A large protest installation appeared on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Monday morning. It shows a 10-foot-tall replica of a birthday card that Donald Trump reportedly sent to Jeffrey Epstein. The art targets the connection between the former president and the late financier, who faced sex trafficking charges. Activists set it up to call attention to recently released court files about Epstein's associates.
Background
Jeffrey Epstein died in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. Court documents unsealed in early 2024 named many high-profile people linked to him, including Donald Trump. The files came from a lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's associate convicted in 2021.
Trump and Epstein knew each other in the 1990s and early 2000s. They socialized at events in New York and Palm Beach, Florida. Trump once called Epstein a "terrific guy" in a 2002 interview. Flight logs show Trump flew on Epstein's plane at least once, though not to the island where much of the abuse took place. Trump later banned Epstein from his Mar-a-Lago club after reports of Epstein approaching young girls there.
The birthday card in question surfaced in media reports years ago. It reads: "Happy Birthday Jeffrey. I'll call you later. Donald." Some reports say Trump sent it around Epstein's birthday in January 2003. The replica on the Mall recreates it exactly, blown up to giant size on a wooden frame. The installation joins other protest art on the Mall, like displays against government policies or social issues.
Organizers say they chose the Mall because it sits between the Capitol and the White House. The location draws tourists and workers daily. They put up the art overnight on Sunday, using simple materials like plywood and paint. By Monday afternoon, crowds gathered to take photos and discuss it.
Key Details
The replica measures about 10 feet tall and 8 feet wide. It stands on the grass near the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building. Bright yellow and red colors make it stand out. The message is handwritten-style in large letters. Below it, a sign reads: "The Epstein Files Tell the Truth. Release Them All."
Installation and Response
A group called Citizens for Transparency claims responsibility. They describe themselves as a non-partisan watchdog focused on public records. Volunteers assembled the piece in a nearby park before moving it to the Mall at dawn. D.C. police arrived around 9 a.m. but did not remove it, as it sits on public land without permits needed for small displays.
Park rangers monitored the site through the day. By evening, they cordoned off the area with tape. No arrests happened. Visitors reacted in different ways. Some nodded in agreement, others argued with those nearby.
"This card reminds everyone of the questions still out there. Why won't full files come out? The public deserves answers." – Alex Rivera, a protester who helped set up the display.
Trump's team has not commented on the installation as of late Monday. Past statements from his camp note that he cut ties with Epstein over a decade ago and cooperated with investigators. Epstein's files mention Trump several times but do not accuse him of wrongdoing in the released portions.
The Mall has hosted similar art before. In 2020, displays marked Black Lives Matter protests. In 2024, pieces criticized Supreme Court rulings. This one focuses on Epstein due to fresh document releases last month. Those files listed more names but added few new facts.
What This Means
The art amplifies calls for full disclosure of Epstein-related records. Advocacy groups push federal courts to unseal remaining sealed documents. They argue powerful people block transparency. Over 1,000 pages released so far name politicians, business leaders, and celebrities. None face charges from the files alone.
Public interest in Epstein remains high. Documentaries and books keep the story alive. Trump's name appears because of their past friendship, not direct involvement in crimes listed. Still, the protest taps into distrust of elites and demands accountability.
For D.C., the Mall stays a free speech hub. Officials balance protest rights with public safety. This display could stay days or weeks, depending on weather and decisions from the National Park Service. If removed, organizers plan backups elsewhere in the city.
Broader Epstein case fallout continues. Maxwell serves a 20-year sentence. Victims pursue civil suits against banks and others tied to Epstein's money. The birthday card replica, simple as it is, spotlights one thread in a long story of connections among the rich and famous.
Trump faces his own legal battles unrelated to Epstein. His supporters see such protests as political attacks ahead of elections. Opponents view them as valid questions about transparency. The Mall installation adds to national conversation without resolving debates.
